Egypt has achieved what seemed like the impossible: a significant drop in its fertility rate. Health Minister Khaled Abdul Ghaffar delivered the good news this week, announcing that Egypt’s fertility rate has dipped to 2.41 births per woman in 2024, down from 2.54 in the previous year. For the first time since 2007 the Egyptian population marked a significant demographic shift.
Egypt has long been known for having one of the highest birth rates globally, with an average of four births per minute, or about 6,000 children every day. But now, thanks to a newfound love for family planning and strategic thinking, Egyptians are redefining what it means to plan for the future.
In 2024, the number of newborns dropped to just under two million, a significant decrease of 77,000 births from 2023. It seems that the government’s efforts to promote family planning have paid off, proving that when Egyptians put their minds to something, nothing can stand in their way!
Globally, Egypt is now playing catch-up with some of the world’s leaders in family planning. Despite still being slightly above the global average of 2.3 children per woman, Egypt’s rate is now below the regional average for the Arab world, where countries like Yemen, Iraq, and Sudan boost fertility rates soaring over four children per woman. While countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali are still leading the world with women having more than seven children on average, Egypt’s steady decline in birth rates offers a model for balancing tradition with modern needs.
This demographic milestone is essential for Egypt’s economic, social and sustainable development plans, providing room to breathe and plan for a prosperous future. It’s a testament to the power of policy, education, and the mighty calculator of family planning.
