Amman, August 1 (Petra) – Higher Population Council (HPC) is commemorating World Twins Day 2026 on Saturday, August 1st, highlighting the increasing rates of twin births in Jordan over the past decades, despite the high risk of twin pregnancy loss and its associated health complications.
The council said statistics derived from family surveys and health and civil records showed a rise in the twin birth rate from approximately 24 twins per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 29 in 2007, and then the figure surged to 43 twins per 1,000 live births in 2025, which represents a 79% increase, compared to 1990, according to data from the Civil Status and Passports Department.
Based on these official figures, the number of officially registered Jordanian twin births in 2025 reached approximately 6,531. Mothers in the 30-34 age group constituted the largest ratio at 34% of all twin births, followed by the 25-29 age group at 32%.
The data revealed the highest twin birth rate was recorded among the 35-39 age group, with 54 twins per 1,000 live births.
The council attributes this positive change, as couples in this age group resorted to assisted reproductive technologies, as well as biological factors associated with advanced maternal age.
The council stated two-thirds of twin births were belonged mothers aged 25-34, noting that the high rate of twin births is also due to advancements in medical technology in Jordan and its increasing success rates.
As for the adverse repercussions, the HPC stated twin pregnancies are high-risk for the mother, fetuses, and newborns, as cases are associated with a higher likelihood of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight.
This situation often requires extended stays in neonatal intensive care units, resulting in high costs, as well as increasing the mother's risk of pregnancy complications.
The council called for raising awareness among families and healthcare providers about the importance of providing specialized and comprehensive healthcare for mothers pregnant with twins before, during, and after delivery.
The HPC also emphasized the need to strengthen specialized healthcare services to reduce risks and complications associated with multiple pregnancies, improve maternal and child health indicators and reproductive health, and lower the rate of twin pregnancy loss.
Addressing the humanitarian aspect of twin pregnancy loss, the statement highlighted the health, psychological, and economic hardship for this ordeal on couples, who have made multiple attempts at conception with the help of medical technology.
Additionally, HPC noted that the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines to improve practices of fertility centers to ensure a higher chance of a live birth for couples facing infertility.
In 2025, the council prepared and published a paper, themed: "Twin Births in Jordan: Facts and Risks" to address the gap in statistics related to twin pregnancies and births and raise awareness of their associated health risks.
This initiative is part of the council's efforts to improve reproductive health and support the goals of the Jordanian National Reproductive Health Strategy 2020-2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals related to ensuring healthy lives for all.
//Petra// AG
