Despite the high probability of twin pregnancy loss, the rate of twin births in Jordan is increasing.
Two-thirds of twin births were for mothers aged 25-34 years.
The Higher Population Council commemorates this occasion, which falls on August 1 of each year, to increase awareness of the related biological, health, and human aspects, and to enhance awareness among families and healthcare providers about the importance of providing special and comprehensive healthcare to pregnant mothers with twins before, during, and after childbirth. It also calls for more scientific reports on twins, the enhancement of specialized healthcare services, and the reduction of risks and complications associated with multiple pregnancies for both mothers and newborns. This contributes to improving maternity, child, and reproductive health indicators on the one hand, and specifically reducing the rate of twin pregnancy loss on the other.
In 2025, the HPC prepared and published a paper entitled "Twin Births in Jordan: Facts and Risks," which aimed to bridge the gap in statistics related to twin pregnancy and birth, and to alert to the specific health risks of twins and their impact on the health of mothers and children, and the chances of twin pregnancy loss.
This effort comes within the framework of the HPC mandate to improve the status of reproductive health of the population, and in support of achieving the goals of the Jordanian National Reproductive Health Strategy (2020-2030), which aim to ensure universal access to reproductive health services and information, thereby contributing to the well-being of individuals and families in Jordan. These efforts also support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5 for 2030, concerning ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all ages, particularly targets related to reducing the rate of early marriage among adolescent girls, maternal mortality, pregnancy loss, and the unmet need for modern family planning methods among married couples.
Data derived from household surveys, health records, and civil registries have shown an increasing trend year after year in the rate of twin births over the past decades in Jordan. We note here rates for selected years: the rate rose from approximately 24 twin births per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 29 in 2007, then to 43 twin births per 1,000 live births in 2025 according to birth data from the Civil Status and Passports Department, representing an increase of 79% compared to 1990.
In 2025, 6,531 Jordanian twin births were officially recorded among mothers of all ages. However, the share of mothers in the age group 30-34 years was the largest, accounting for about 34% of the total number of twin births, followed by the age group 25-29 years at about 32%. This may primarily be due to the high number and proportion of pregnant mothers in these two groups, rather than their use of assisted reproductive technologies. However, the highest rate of twin births was recorded among the age group 35-39 years, reaching 54 twins per 1,000 live births among them. This may mainly be attributed to couples in this age group resorting to medically assisted reproduction techniques, in addition to biological factors associated with advanced maternal age, as these techniques and advanced maternal age are linked to an increased likelihood of multiple pregnancies.
Since the biological causes of twin births do not vary among the world's populations, one potential factor that may contribute to the high rate of twin births in Jordan compared to some other countries could be attributed to the advancement of medical technologies in Jordan and the increasing success rates of these techniques in achieving pregnancies and births among couples seeking childrearing.
Twin pregnancy is classified as a high-risk pregnancy for the mother, fetus, and newborns, requiring special care due to the associated health risks. Scientific evidence indicates that multiple pregnancy is linked to a higher likelihood of pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and low birth weight of twins, necessitating their stay in the intensive care unit for a long and costly period, as well as increased pregnancy complications for the mother. This necessitates enhanced health awareness and specialized medical follow-up to ensure the health of mothers and newborns and to reduce potential complications.
This concerns the medical, service, and health aspect of twins. However, there is another important aspect, namely the human aspect, represented by the loss of a cherished twin pregnancy achieved after several attempts at conception with the help of modern medical technologies. The loss of this precious pregnancy entails physical, psychological, and economic pain for the couple and their families, who have been eagerly awaiting the full-term delivery of a healthy live newborn. While fertility center staff strive to increase the likelihood of successful attempts to fulfill couples' hopes of having one or more children, by implanting more than one fertilized egg into the mother's womb, this procedure remains fraught with risks and may not result in a pregnancy with a single healthy fetus. Hence, the Ministry of Health has taken note and issued directives guiding the practices of fertility centers to ensure increased chances of pregnancy ending in a live birth for couples facing difficulties in conceiving due to primary or secondary infertility in one or both spouses.
