A recent study indicates a slight increase in the equitable spread of wealth, but also an increase in the number of economically disadvantaged persons, said Abu Bakr al-Gendi, head of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. “It's impossible to determine future poverty rates with complete accuracy, but according to the study, the minimum rate of poverty begins with households that earn 502 L.E a month," al-Gendi told Youm7. “The study is useful in that it reveals the poorest villages in Egypt – all of which require government aid.” The debate over whether aid should be monetary or through price-stabilization of staple items persists, said al-Gendi. There is also discussion regarding who should receive aid and what items should be subsidized. Bread subsidies – a staple for all Egyptians – must remain in place, said al-Gendi. However, there is talk of removing the butane cylinder subsidy – an economic privilege that is sometimes abused by unethical businessmen – and instead providing butane stamps to economically disadvantages citizens.
