United Arab Emirates designates 2026 as 'Year of the Family'

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that 2026 will be the "Year of the Family," in an attempt to promote family growth and stability in the country.

Key Takeaways:

• The Year of the Family designation comes as the UAE's president called the family a "vital pillar of our nation's future progress."

• The initiative will create a task force to focus on family growth in response to the country's declining birth rates.

The Details:

According to The National, Mohamed made the announcement following annual government meetings, which were held last week. He stressed the importance of the family's growth and stability, calling it a "vital" to the nation's success.

“The National Family Growth Agenda 2031, launched today at the Government Annual Meetings, sets out a long-term strategic vision that recognizes the family as a vital pillar of our nation’s future progress,” he wrote on X. “As a cornerstone of the community and the cradle of our shared values and identity, the family’s growth and stability are a collective priority and a shared national responsibility.”

محمد بن زايد

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حضرت اليوم جانباً من الاجتماعات السنوية لحكومة دولة الإمارات، حيث أقررنا الأجندة الوطنية لنمو الأسرة 2031 باعتبارها رؤية إستراتيجية طويلة المدى ومرجعية وطنية للتعامل مع هذه القضية الحيوية لحاضرنا ومستقبلنا. الأسرة ركيزة أساسية لقوة الوطن وازدهاره، ولذلك فإن نموها واستقرارها Show more

3:18 PM · Nov 6, 2025

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The National also reports that the Year of the Family initiative will include the creation of a task force comprised of 20 federal and local government entities. "These entities will focus on three priority areas: policies and programs, behavioral interventions and reproductive health," the outlet states.

"By reshaping social narratives, the [National Family Growth] agenda hopes to revive appreciation for family growth as a shared responsibility and a central national value," noted CEOs of Dubai, adding, "The goal is to make it easier for Emiratis to take the step toward marriage and parenthood without facing economic or social barriers."

The "Year of" initiatives have been taking place in UAE since 2015.

Why It Matters:

Like the majority of nations across the globe, UAE is experiencing a decline in population; the current fertility rate is 1.2 children per woman — well below the replacement rate of 2.1. This is serving, in part, as the impetus for greater focus on the family.

“Fertility rates are declining globally, and the UAE is not immune,” Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, said in July. “But where others may see a looming challenge, we see a chance to lead – by placing family back at the center of policy, in ways that are meaningful, modern, and uniquely preservative of our Emirati identity.”

The Bottom Line:

While populations are dwindling, all countries must focus on one area that can really make a difference: the family. Supporting family life and growth, while recognizing that the family is the cornerstone of society, is necessary for all nations to thrive.