The Higher Population Council: Family decisions are a key influencer of societal conditions
"Doha Declaration – 30 Years After the 1994 International Year of the Family"
On the occasion of the International Day of Families, the Secretary-General of the Higher Population Council, Professor Dr. Issa Al-Masarwah, participated in the First Arab Regional Policy Forum on the Doha Declaration / The Arab Family and Major Contemporary Changes, held in Cairo from 7-8 May 2025. During the forum, Al-Masarwah delivered an in-depth address titled: "Demographic Changes in the Arab Family: Where Biology Meets Medical Technologies, Social Heritage, Legislation, and Family Interests and Aspirations."
This forum was organized by the Department of Family and Childhood at the League of Arab States, in cooperation with the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) – a member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development.
Prior to this, the DIFI had convened a conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s declaration of 1994 as the International Year of the Family. The conference concluded with the issuance of the "Doha Declaration", which included a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the major challenges facing families worldwide.
The Doha Declaration encompassed 30 key recommendations, including: supporting family-centric policies as a governance priority; strengthening family units and reducing socioeconomic disparities between households; integrating family education into formal school curricula; enhancing child protection measures in the digital era; developing IT infrastructure to support modern family needs; empowering elderly members and persons with disabilities within family structures; ensuring universal access to quality healthcare services; addressing intergenerational digital disparities while harnessing artificial intelligence's potential; analyzing demographic shifts' impact on Arab families; formally recognizing unpaid care work's economic value; investing in vocational education and skills training; developing climate adaptation strategies to safeguard families from environmental changes; and promoting access to reliable information for informed family decision-making.
In response to the Doha Declaration's recommendations, the First Arab Policy Forum 2025 adopted the theme "The Arab Family and Major Contemporary Transformations." The forum's sessions addressed critical topics including: the Arab family's adaptation to modern changes and support mechanisms; core values and challenges facing Arab families; direct threats to family stability in the Arab region and mitigation strategies; technological shifts and their impact on Arab households; family dynamics, urbanization and migration; demographic changes in Arab societies; climate change effects on families; and comparative Arab country experiences in addressing these transformations.
Jordan joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Families, observed annually on May 15th. This day reflects the global community's recognition of the family's vital role and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about family-related issues, as well as knowledge of family decisions and practices that shape demographic realities across societies. Family-oriented policies and programs are crucial for achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to eradicating poverty, eliminating discrimination and abuse, improving individual health outcomes, and addressing family size dynamics.
The family stands as the foundational and primary social institution, with its decisions and practices serving as the most influential factor in shaping Jordan's demographic, social, and economic conditions. Families make numerous critical decisions related to reproductive health, including marriage timing, spouse selection, divorce, family formation, remarriage, childbearing decisions (number of children, birth spacing, and delivery methods), contraceptive use, breastfeeding practices, and residential choices. Additionally, families influence young people's decisions regarding employment and labor market participation, along with patterns of domestic violence that significantly impact members' wellbeing, happiness, and upbringing. All these decisions—taken collectively within the family unit—ultimately determine the nation's demographic structure and socioeconomic trajectory.
According to the Jordan in Figures 2023 report issued by the Department of Statistics, Jordan had approximately 2.4 million households, with women heading 15% of these families as reported in the 2023 Population and Family Health Survey. The average household size was 4.8 persons, with 34.3% of family members under 15 years old, 62% between 15-64 years, and 3.7% aged 65 and above. These demographic indicators reflect Jordan's youthful population structure, where half of all citizens are under 23 years old - a direct result of prevailing reproductive patterns among Jordanian families. This age distribution highlights the country's demographic dividend potential while underscoring the need for targeted investments in youth education and employment opportunities.
Unplanned childbearing poses a significant challenge for families in Jordan. Approximately 33% of married couples require modern contraceptive methods to achieve their reproductive goals—with 11% experiencing unmet need for family planning and 22% relying on ineffective traditional methods. This high percentage accounts for most unintended births if left unaddressed. Unplanned pregnancies carry multifaceted consequences for families, potentially affecting their economic stability, health outcomes, and overall wellbeing.
