A new World Bank study shows that measures taken by the Egyptian government in expanding the base, and better targeting food subsidies, over the past two years have led to raising the share of the low-income individuals from subsidies by 70 percent, Al-Ahram newspaper reported.
On average, the value of subsidy/individual has increased from LE 27 to LE 106, representing a 70 percent increase over the period under review. The number of families benefiting from subsidized bread has widened from 76 percent to 81 percent, the study showed, while those benefiting from ration cards have increased from 57 percent to 68 percent over the same period.
Cairo, however, remains the biggest beneficiary of food subsidies, the study added, despite some governorates in Upper Egypt having higher level of low-income groups, Beltone Financial reported in a note citing Al-Ahram.
