The population clock records numbers of birth and death in real-time from the Ministry of Health’s updated database. 

This figure represents an increase of close to one million people compared to 104.4 million in January.

According to CAPMAS figures, the number of births in 2022 amounted to 2.183 million. This figure is only 2,000 less than the previous year in which there were 2.185 million births.

Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Minya and Beni Suef governorates recorded the highest birth rates of 27.0, 26.5, 26.0, 25.5, and 24.0 per thousand, respectively. 

On the other hand, the governorates of Port Said, Damietta, Daqahliya, Suez and Qalioubiya had the lowest birth rates of 13.6, 16.8, 17.7, 17.7, and 18.1 per thousand respectively.

Earlier in February, Head of Egypt's National Population Council (NPC) Tarek Tawfik said the country's population is expected to reach 142-157 million by the year 2050. 

"This figure depends on the birth rate," said Tawfik, adding that "if each family has two children only, we would reach 142 million, but if families have more we are expected to reach 157 million.”

Tawfik also explained why Upper Egyptian and border governorates had the highest birth rates, saying that “most birth control campaigns focus on Cairo and Delta governorates.”

So how is Egypt dealing with the population growth challenge? 

Birth rates in Egypt have been declining over the last five years. According to the Egyptian Family Health Survey, the fertility rate decreased from 3.5 births per woman in 2014 to 2.85 births per woman in 2021.

The country has been trying to curb overpopulation by, among other efforts, launching the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family (NPDEF) in March 2022.

The NPDEF is a wide-ranging development scheme that goes beyond family planning and healthcare. It encompasses five different areas, such as promoting the economic independence of women.

Moreover, the NPDEF's endeavors align with Article 41 of Egypt's 2014 constitution, which mandates the implementation of a population programme aimed at balancing demographic growth with available resources and maximizing investments in human resources.  

In March this year, Egypt announced plans under NPDEF to provide an annual incentive of EGP 1,000 to married women with no more than two children under a protocol signed between the ministries of finance and planning and economic development.

According to the protocol, each woman will receive an annual amount of EGP 1,000, which will be accumulated and disbursed after the age of 45. 

Also in March, a new initiative called Osra (family) was launched to provide young Egyptians with information on voluntary family planning and reproductive health options for healthy and sustainable child spacing. 

In 2020, the government launched Etnein Kefaya (“two are enough”) campaign, which offered financial assistance to those who succeed in family planning. 

Egypt is also planning on launching its National Population Strategy (2015-2030)  during the International Conference on Population, Health, and Development (PHDC 2023), according to comments by Minister of Health Khalid Abdel-Ghaffar

The strategy aims to improve the quality of life for citizens by improving family planning and reproductive health services and giving special attention to family planning programmes.

Hosted by Egypt, the conference to scheduled to be held on 5-8 September and will provide a platform for researchers, policymakers, and decision-makers from all around the globe to discover the dynamic relationship between health, population, and development through various activities including panel talks and discussions.