Even while implementing a successful family planning program, Egypt continues to face urgent demographic challenges now and in the future. The government actively promotes family planning; contraceptive prevalence is increasing with almost half of all married women practicing family planning; and fertility is declining. With a current population of 61 million, projected to increase to 92 million by 2020, family planning needs are still large and will grow. Presently, 20 percent of married women do not use family planning despite a desire to limit or space births.

Egypt's shifting population age structure-its demographic transition from a predominantly young to relatively older population (figure 1) will have important implications for economic and social programs, including family planning. The fastest growing age groups include young adults, who are served by the family planning programs and who will be looking for jobs, and the elderly, who require medical and other support programs.

Also, Egypt's population is concentrated in a very small portion of its overall land area: currently, 97 percent of the population lives on 4 percent of the land. Both land and infrastructure will be strained by further population increases.