Egypt's Annual birth rate equals other states' population: Min.

CAIRO - 6 December 2018: It is estimated that Egypt's population will hit 150 million in 2050 with an increase of 70 percent compared to 2015, Minister of Planning, Follow-Up, and Administrative Reform Hala al-Said said in a public lecture in Cairo University on Wednesday.

Said stated that the birth rate has been on the rise since 2005 reaching 2 million per annum in 2008, and growing to become 2.5 - 2.7 million. The whole population of some countries is around 2 - 3 million. “That means the annual birth rate equals other states population,” the minister said.

Said affirmed that overpopulation is a central national security issue, and that efforts by all parties are needed to control it. She added that the government is eager to invest in human resources and capacity-building, saying that the constitution supports the government to execute a plan that achieves the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Within the 2030 vision, “we are renovating the long-term visions in light of regional and international developments, economic reforms, and their impact on targets, so we review every long-term plan every four years.”

On Sunday, Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali held a press conference to announce the renovation of 33 clinics providing contraception services within the framework of “Two Are Enough” project, aiming at curbing population growth.

The project is executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population which trains physicians and nurses on those services, while the Solidarity Ministry covers bonuses for those who serve in Upper Egypt which has the highest birth rates.

Moreover, 2,000 female rural leaders have been trained to pass on advice to female villagers on the matter by knocking their doors. The target is 10,000 visits in 10 governorates as a start, with the goal of reaching 340,000 visits within few months.

In addition, 60 radio episodes will be aired on the Quran channel to raise awareness on contraception in cooperation with Al Azhar, and Dar al-Iftaa.