Average annual spending of Egyptian families rose 11.1 per cent between 2004 and 2009, according to new data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

Figures released by the institute on Saturday to mark the International Day of the Family show the average Egyptian family spent LE11,235 in the 2004-2005 financial year and LE12,487 in 2008-2009. Prices were adjusted to reflect inflation.

The proportion Egyptian households spent on food and drink fell from 44.5 per cent to 37 per cent in the same period, balanced by an increase in spending on housing and related items, healthcare, transport and communications.

CAPMAS also noted a small, recent dip in the part of Egypt's population under 15 years of age, from 31.5 per cent in 2009 to 31.2 in 2010. Meanwhile the proportion of working age -- between 15 and 59 years old -- grew from 62 to 62.1 per cent in the same period.

The proportion of Egyptians over the age of 60 also rose, from 6.3 per cent of the population in 2009 to 6.7 per cent in 2010, although CAPMAS also noted a decline in the age dependency ratio, from 56 per cent in 2006 to 54.8 per cent in 2010.

Men remain the major earners in most Egyptian families -- 83.4 per cent, against the 16.6 per cent of families who have a woman as their main breadwinner.

The rate of marriage showed a small rise from 8.8 per thousand in 2008 to 9.9 per thousand in 2009, with participation in the labour force at 75 per cent among men and 23.2 per cent among women.

The General Assembly of the United Nations passed a decree in 1993 making 15 May the International Day of the Family as part of a drive urging all countries to raise living standards to meet development goals.