This paper documents inequalities in access to education and educational achievements at basic and
secondary education levels in Egypt. Examination of three cohorts suggests that, although basic
education has democratized, some inequities in access to general secondary and college education
have persisted over the past two decades. The analysis of test-scores from TIMSS and national
examinations over time shows that more than a quarter of learning outcome inequality is
attributable to circumstances beyond the control of a student, such as socioeconomic background
and birthplace. The high level of overall achievement inequality observed makes inequities in
learning opportunities between Egyptian youth high compared to other countries in absolute levels.
Moreover learning gaps among pupils from different backgrounds appear at early grades. High and
unequal levels of expenditures in private tutoring and tracking into vocational and general
secondary schools that depends on a high stakes examination substantially contribute to unequal
learning outcomes.