Egypt is making significant strides in addressing population growth and improving reproductive health through a multi-faceted national strategy, reinforced by international partnerships. The National Project for Development of the Egyptian Family (NPDEF), launched in 2022, has emerged as a cornerstone of the country’s demographic and development agenda. With a comprehensive vision encompassing health, social, economic, and legislative dimensions, the project aims to enhance citizens’ quality of life and address long-standing population challenges.
Demographic trends over the past decades reflect notable progress. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Egypt ranked sixth globally in reducing maternal mortality between 2000 and 2020. As a result, life expectancy in 2022 rose to 74.1 years for women and 69.7 for men. These achievements are closely tied to national efforts such as the 2015–2030 Population and Development Strategy and its updated 2023–2030 version, which incorporates insights from the 2021 Egyptian Family Health Survey.
The NPDEF was designed as a historic intervention, targeting overpopulation with a holistic approach that extends beyond traditional family planning. It includes five strategic pillars: economic empowerment of women, expanded reproductive health services, public education, digital transformation, and legislative reform. During its first year, the project focused on the villages covered by the presidential “Decent Life” initiative, improving access to family planning services in underserved areas.
A critical component of this progress is the expansion of international support. Last month, a landmark ceremony in the New Administrative Capital marked the extension of the partnership between Bayer and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Egypt. This collaboration, supporting the Ministry of Health and Population, aims to improve access to reproductive health services and increase community awareness, especially in remote governorates.
Bayer’s Global Health Unit contributes an additional €100,000 in 2025, increasing its current support to €170,000. A further three-year extension from 2026 to 2028, with over €900,000 in committed funds, will bolster outreach efforts under the “Your Right to Plan” campaign, a comprehensive initiative developed with UNFPA and the Ministry of Health.
“This expanded partnership will allow us to reach more underserved communities with vital services and information,” said Hugo Hagen, Vice President and Head of Bayer’s Global Health Unit. UNFPA Egypt Representative Yves Sassenrath added, “Access to safe, voluntary family planning is central to gender equality. This partnership ensures that no one is left behind.”
The partnership’s targets are ambitious: reaching 810,000 women through outreach campaigns and ensuring that 540,000 women receive modern contraceptives by 2028. Efforts will include training healthcare providers, strengthening mobile clinics, and deploying culturally sensitive awareness campaigns involving community and religious leaders.
By aligning public, private, and international resources, Egypt’s strategy seeks not only to reduce population pressures but also to empower women, improve family well-being, and drive sustainable development. As Bayer’s Frank Strelow remarked, “Access to family planning is a fundamental right. Together, we’re building healthier families and stronger communities.”
