Asyut Governorate


Asyūṭ is one of the 27 governorates of Egypt. It stretches across a section of the Nile River. The capital of the governorate is the city of Asyut.
WWW assiut.gov.eg

Etymology

The name of Asyut is derived from early Egyptian Zawty, late Egyptian Səyáwt, into Coptic Syowt. An A was added to the beginning of the name Syowt to become Asyut.

Overview

The rate of poverty in Asyut is more than 60%. Recently, some social safety networks have been provided, in the form of financial assistance and job opportunities. The funding has been coordinated by Egypt's Ministry of Finance, with assistance from international organizations.

Municipal divisions

The governorate is divided into municipal divisions, with a total estimated population of as of April 2025. In Asyut Governorate, there is 1 new city, three aqsam and eleven marakiz. Sometimes a markaz and a qism share a name.

Anglicized nameNative nameArabic transliterationPopulation
Type
Abnubمركز أبنوب 469,686 Markaz
Abu Tigقسم ابو تيج 110,510 Kism
Abu Tigمركز أبو تيج 258,283 Markaz
El Badariمركز البدارى 307,072 Markaz
El Fatehمركز الفتح 359,263 Markaz
El Ghanayemمركز الغنايم 154,088 Markaz
El Qusiyaمركز القوصية 526,837 Markaz
Asyutمركز أسيوط 578,782 Markaz
Asyut 1قسم أول أسيوط 299,892 Kism
Asyut 2قسم ثان أسيوط 254,312 Kism
Dairutمركز ديروط 674,516 Markaz
New Asyutمدينة اسيوط الجديدة 9,674 New City
Manfalutمركز منفلوط 595,750 Markaz
Sahel Selimمركز ساحل سليم 205,847 Markaz
Sidfaمركز صدفا 207,303 Markaz

Population

According to 2024 estimates, the majority of residents in the governorate live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 26.5%. Out of an estimated 5,169,423 people residing in the governorate, 3,799,525 live in rural areas, as opposed to only 1,369,898 in urban areas.

Demographics

Asyut has a population of over 4 million people, with a significant Coptic presence. Muslims and Christians have lived together in Asyut and at times there have been clashes. In July 2013, a large number of Christians took to the streets to protest Muslim extremism in Asyut.
Whether Christian or Muslim, Asyut is home to a very conservative society and in October, 2016 Upper Egypt's first beauty pageant, which was to be held in Asyut, had to be canceled due to death threats and security issues.

Cities

Industrial zones

According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones, the following industrial zones are located in Asyut:
Zone name
Bidary Industrial Zone
Dashlot Dariot Industrial Zone
El Awamer Abanoub Industrial Zone
El Safaa Industrial Zone
El Zarrabi Wadi Serga Mountain Industrial Zone
Sahel Selem Industrial Zone

Projects and programs

In 2016, Switzerland committed to funding a solid waste management program in Asyut, a project with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment that will conclude in 2021. The National Solid Waste Management Programme involves the construction of infrastructure for new as well as the expansion and improvement of existing waste treatment, landfill, and recycling facilities.

Important sites

Ancient quarries are an important feature of Asyut. There are about 500 rock-cut tombs and limestone quarries all around Asyut. The governorate of Asyut includes the Ancient Egyptian tombs of Meir, and the town of Durunka, which is a pilgrimage site for many Copts who come to visit a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Notable people