The authors analyze the role of the emigration of the Egyptian labor force in the process of Infitah, or the opening of Egypt to international economic forces, which has taken place since the early 1970s. Data are from two official national surveys carried out in 1985 and 1987. The authors conclude that the emigration of some 3.5 million Egyptian workers has benefited the country's economy both by reducing pressures due to too many workers seeking too few jobs and by providing the financial resources for the development of small businesses in Egypt.

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economics population demography developing country Population Dynamics Developing Countries Middle East Mediterranean Countries Arab Countries economic conditions economic development Manpower Needs labor migration health care manpower Health Manpower Africa Northern Africa Article Africa, Northern migration international migration Demographic Factors Emigration and Immigration Economic Factors Transients and Migrants Human Resources Macroeconomic Factors Egypt English Abstract