Childhood Anemia in Egypt Fell From 42.3% to 8% Since 2019

The prevalence of childhood anaemia in Egypt has fallen to 8% in 2026, down from 42.3% in 2019, according to Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar.

Over the same period, the rate of stunting among children declined from 6.9% to 4%, the minister said, linking the improvement to a presidential initiative focused on child nutrition and health.

Abdel Ghaffar said efforts to address child nutrition should begin before birth, with greater public awareness around anaemia, obesity and stunting alongside stronger support for maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

He also called on pharmaceutical companies to expand production of essential nutritional supplements to improve availability for pregnant women and other target groups.

The minister framed investment in child growth and nutrition as part of wider human-capital development under Egypt Vision 2030, arguing that healthier early development can have longer-term effects on education, productivity and economic participation.

The World Health Organization’s representative in Egypt also pointed to progress in reducing stunting and highlighted the importance of maintaining nutritional interventions during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from pregnancy through the child’s second birthday.