Religion and Economic Attitudes in Egypt

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between religiosity and economic attitudes in Egypt, a highly religious society where informal norms strongly shape economic behavior and state–society relations. Using data from the last three waves of the World Values Survey (2005–2022), the analysis tests multiple hypotheses across three dimensions: redistribution and market attitudes, beliefs about hard work, and tolerance of corrupt practices. The findings show that religiosity is significantly associated with economic attitudes. Religious Egyptians are more supportive of government responsibility toward the needy and more likely to view market competition as harmful. Although they place high importance on work, they are also more inclined to believe that success depends on luck and social connections rather than hard work alone. Religiosity is further associated with lower acceptance of corrupt behavior. These findings suggest that religiosity operates as an important informal institution shaping economic preferences in Egypt, with selective rather than uniform effects across different economic attitudes.