Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, has stressed that addressing the country's population challenges demands more than demographic data—it requires a comprehensive approach centered on education, employment, and youth engagement. Speaking during a panel discussion organized by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) to mark World Population Day, Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that Egypt records approximately 5,378 births each day—nearly one every second. "The human being is the icon of development," he said, emphasizing that human development lies at the core of Egypt's national priorities. He also pointed to the government's ongoing collaboration with UN agencies to advance population and health initiatives. The panel featured senior officials including CAPMAS head General Khairat Barakat, UNFPA Representative in Egypt Yves Sassenrath, and UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova. General Barakat underlined the critical role of accurate data in achieving sustainable development, announcing that Egypt's population reached 107.85 million as of mid-2025. While acknowledging some signs of progress, he noted that birth rates remain high in Upper Egypt. Barakat also presented key findings from the 2025 Egyptian Family Survey, conducted under the "Bedaya" (Beginning) initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. The survey offers in-depth insights into reproductive health, family planning, and unplanned pregnancies—data that will support more targeted and effective population policies. UNFPA's Yves Sassenrath commended Egypt's commitment to population and development goals, citing a decline in fertility rates as a positive sign. He praised the "Bedaya" initiative for its contribution to improving healthcare services and stressed that empowering youth is central to achieving long-term sustainability. UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova echoed this view, noting that Egypt has responded proactively to demographic challenges with innovative governance reforms and effective public programs. "Youth remain the most vital partner in shaping Egypt's future," she said..
