Egypt's 'red zones' shrink as birth rate declines by end of 2025

This marks the first outcome of the 2025–2027 Emergency Population and Development Plan. The eighth edition of Egypt's composite population indicators showed a reduction in "red zones," areas most in need of intervention, to 20 by the end of 2025, down from 43 previously. Deputy Health Minister Abla al-Alfi noted that the number of governorates free of red zones increased to 13 by the end of 2025.

Annual births fell below two million for the first time in years, with the total fertility rate declining to 2.34 children per woman in 2025, from 2.54 in 2023. The crude birth rate also fell to 18.1 per 1,000 people from 19.4 per 1,000 in 2023. Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar attributed this progress to integrated policies expanding family planning and reproductive health services and raising public awareness.

Future efforts will focus on targeted interventions, especially in Upper Egypt governorates.