Proposals to introduce a fertility strategy for the nation are about improving the lives of young Emiratis, the UAE's Minister of Family has told The National.
Plans for the strategy were discussed at last week's meeting of the Federal National Council (FNC) during which it was confirmed feasibility studies were under way. The project is being launched against a global backdrop of reduced fertility rates, and the UAE is no different.
The FNC session heard that there was an 11 per cent drop in births among Emiratis between 2015 and 2022, while non-Emirati residents had experienced a 5 per cent increase during the same period. There were 30,889 Emiratis born in 2022 and 65,762 expatriates.
“Fertility rates are declining globally, and the UAE is not immune,” said Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, in a statement sent to The National. “But where others may see a looming challenge, we see a chance to lead – by placing family back at the centre of policy, in ways that are meaningful, modern, and uniquely preservative of our Emirati identity.”
This is now a “strategic priority” according to Ms Suhail, who added the first phase of a national assessment has been launched. Numerous government agencies are now involved in the creation of the strategy.
“The very fact that this topic has become part of our national dialogue is a powerful sign of foresight,” she said. “Population trends are not abstract statistics. They are the story of who we are becoming.
“Behind every data point is a young couple making decisions about marriage … A working mother balancing ambitions with nurturing. A father wanting to give more time but stretched by economic pressures. These are not only social realities – they are policy challenges, and more importantly, national opportunities.”
The move to boost the number of Emiratis born in the UAE is part of a wider plan to improve the quality of life of citizens in the Emirates. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, last year approved the Emirati Family Growth Programme “to enhance family stability and reinforce community cohesion”.
Part of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy, it also aims to empower youth to build stable families and enhance the family as a main driver of economic and social development in the emirate.
“We are taking a multidimensional approach. Not just revisiting child allowances or housing policies – although these matter – but rethinking how we empower young Emiratis to build families with confidence,” said Ms Suhail.
“We’ve heard clearly that many young people feel torn between personal ambition and starting a family. We acknowledge that social media narratives sometimes distort the beauty and value of family life. And we recognise that the lived experience of parenting in today's world demands more inclusive, responsive, and human-centred support.
"As we shape the National Strategy for Family Growth and Fertility, we do so with full commitment to collaboration, transparency and respect for the unique fabric of Emirati society.”
Changing times
Doctors in the UAE are also seeing a marked change in the profile of fertility patients. Dr Walid Sayed, group medical director of Burjeel Medical City Trust Fertility Clinic, a consultant who has worked in the country for nearly two decades, said a growing number of women are now seeking egg-freezing and fertility preservation services, often before marriage.
“Ten years ago, most of our patients were under 35 and already married,” he said. “Today, we see women in their late thirties and early forties coming in to freeze eggs – not necessarily because they have fertility issues, but because they’re not ready to marry. They’re busy with work or studies.”
Delayed marriage is a major driver of the trend, he said, along with lifestyle-related health problems. “Even among younger patients, we’re seeing low ovarian reserves, obesity, diabetes and poor nutrition. These all impact fertility. We’re also seeing a sharp rise in secondary infertility among men, often linked to smoking or the use of unregulated performance-enhancing substances.”
Smaller family size is also becoming the norm, said Dr Waleed.
“In the past, most Emirati families had five or more children. Now, most couples want two or three. It may seem reasonable, but if you compare it to previous generations, the demographic impact is significant,” Dr Waleed said. “Too many patients come to us too late. We need official platforms that people can trust, where they can learn when to seek help and how to protect their fertility early on.”
In the Middle East, infertility rates are significantly higher than the global average,” said Majd Abu Zant, managing director and chief executive of Global Fertility. “Globally, around 10 per cent of couples face infertility. In our region, it’s closer to 15 per cent.”
The shift is especially urgent for Emiratis, given the country’s small national population. “This is why reversing the birth rate decline has become a priority for the government. But the solution is not singular – it’s multifactorial,” he said.
One of the biggest challenges across the region is that there simply aren't enough fertility clinics to meet the growing demand for treatment.
“That’s why we established our company – to invest in building the largest network of fertility clinics across the region. But capacity alone isn’t enough,” he said. Improving outcomes, he explained, means investing in research, innovation, and technology. “Governments and providers must continuously improve results through evidence-based care and constant innovation,” said Mr Abu Zant.
As fertility access and education demand is rising across the region, start-ups like Ovasave are stepping in to meet growing demand with tech-driven solutions and help translate the region’s policy reforms into real-world access.
“We’re seeing a surge in interest from both individuals and employers who want to make fertility care part of routine health benefits,” said Ovasave co-founder and chief executive Torkia Mahloul. “By launching mass screening awareness we’re making fertility support a practical reality for more women, earlier in their lives.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The%20specs
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The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
Oppenheimer
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Aryan%20Lakra%2C%20Ashwanth%20Valthapa%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20CP%20Rizwaan%2C%20Hazrat%20Billal%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%20and%20Zawar%20Farid.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Japan 30-10 Russia
Tries: Matsushima (3), Labuschange | Golosnitsky
Conversions: Tamura, Matsuda | Kushnarev
Penalties: Tamura (2) | Kushnarev
'Falling%20for%20Christmas'
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0