The Higher Population Council (HPC) marks Twins Day 2026 today, Saturday—observed annually on August 1—confirming an increase in twin birth rates in Jordan over recent decades, despite the higher likelihood of twin pregnancy loss and associated health risks.
اضافة اعلان
In a statement, the Council noted that data derived from household surveys, health records, and civil registries showed a rise in the twin birth rate from approximately 24 twin births per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 29 in 2007, reaching 43 twin births per 1,000 live births in 2025, according to Civil Status and Passports Department data—representing a 79 percent increase compared to 1990.
The number of officially registered Jordanian twin births in 2025 reached around 6,531. Mothers in the 30–34 age group accounted for the largest share at 34 percent of total twin births, followed by the 25–29 age group at 32 percent.
Meanwhile, the highest rate of twin births was recorded among mothers aged 35–39, with 54 twins per 1,000 live births. The Council attributes this to couples in this age group turning to assisted reproductive technologies (ART), alongside biological factors related to advanced maternal age.
The Council explained that two-thirds of twin births were to mothers aged 25–34, pointing out that the rise in twin birth rates is also driven by advances in medical technologies in Jordan and their increasing success rates.
It emphasized that twin pregnancy is considered high-risk for the mother, fetuses, and newborns, as it is associated with higher chances of pregnancy loss, premature birth, and low birth weight. In many cases, this necessitates prolonged stays in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and results in high medical costs, alongside an increased risk of maternal pregnancy complications.
The HPC called for raising awareness among families and healthcare providers regarding the importance of providing specialized, comprehensive care for mothers pregnant with twins before, during, and after childbirth. It also urged the enhancement of specialized healthcare services to mitigate the risks and complications associated with multiple pregnancies, improve maternal, child, and reproductive health indicators, and lower the rate of twin pregnancy loss.
The statement addressed the human aspect of twin loss, highlighting the physical, psychological, and financial pain it inflicts on couples who have undergone multiple attempts to conceive using medical technologies. It noted that the Ministry of Health has issued directives regulating the practices of fertility centers to ensure higher chances of live births for couples facing fertility challenges.
It is worth noting that the Higher Population Council prepared and published a paper in 2025 titled "Twin Births in Jordan: Facts and Risks" to bridge the data gap regarding twin pregnancies and births and to draw attention to their specific health risks.
This falls within the Council's ongoing efforts to elevate the level of reproductive health and supports achieving the goals of Jordan's National Reproductive Health Strategy 2020–2030, as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals related to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
