Egypt population could more than double by 2050

Egypt's population could more than double to reach 160 million by 2050, hindering social and economic development unless something is done about the "urgent" problem, President Hosni Mubarak warned on Monday.

Mubarak, who has in the past blamed population growth for draining state resources amid rising discontent at rocketing food prices, said that rampant reproduction was a "major challenge" and "fundamental obstacle" to development.

Population growth is "a major challenge for this generation and the generations to come," Mubarak said on Egyptian state television, and a "key obstacle to our efforts for development and improving the standard of living."

AFP