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Egypt Independent
“The population of Egypt has reached 102,526,000, an increase of 26,000 during the past two days”, the advisor to the head of the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), Hussein Abdel-Aziz, told MBC Masr on Tuesday.
“The average marriage age in rural areas is 20 years, while in urban areas it averages at 22 years. Therefore, the average marriage age in Egypt is almost 21 years”, Abdel-Aziz noted.
The country’s population increased by eight million people in the period between 2017 and 2021.
CAPMAS estimates population figures to reach 123 million by 2032 if childbearing decreases. However, if the birth rates continue their increase, then the population is expected to reach 130 million.
“Despite having the legal age of marriage at 18 years old, there are those who consider their younger children fit for marriage. Hence, there is a need for a change in societal culture to stop young girls from being married and to maintain their enrolment in high education”, Abdel-Aziz warned.
“Education dropout rates for underage girls is becoming more frequent. Continuing education will lead to higher awareness among girls, a change in culture and a reduction in the marriage of the underage” he added.
