The governorate is divided into the following municipal divisions for administrative purposes, with a total estimated population as of January 2024 of 6,217,766.

[3] According to population estimates, in 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 44.7%.

[9] The cities in the Qalyubia Governorate are: According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in this governorate:[10] Qalyubia is known for its agricultural production of crops, fruits and vegetables.

The most important of these crops include maize, cotton, wheat, citrus fruits, bananas, oranges and apricots.

[11] In a program that began on August 28, 2012 (through 2018), the European Union invested 40 million Euros on upgrading the infrastructure of informal areas in Qalyubia Governorate.