Only two thirds of Egyptians are aware of the IMF loan being discussed by the country's leaders, according to an opinion poll by the Egyptian Centre for Public Opinion Research.

Among those who have heard of the loan, 53 per cent support it, 35 per cent oppose it and 12 per cent are undecided.

Overall, only one third of Egyptians actively approve of the loan, while the rest oppose it, are unsure, or know nothing about it.

Fifty-nine per cent of men support the loan compared to 43 per cent of women.

Sixty-eight per cent of people over 50 said they were in favour of the loan, while 63 per cent of people with the lowest level of education (below middle school or illiterate) were in support.

People who voted for Morsi (58%) are more likely to support the loan than people who voted for Ahmed Shafiq (39%), reflecting the growing political polarisation of society.

The survey was conducted on 20 August among a sample of 1061 individuals above 18 years old, with 90% response rate, and 3% error range. The socioeconomic class was determined by ownership of household assets.