A BABY is born every 23.5 seconds in Egypt, and the population has surpassed 66 million inhabitants, up 1.3 million in one year, the national statistics office announced on Monday. The increase was due to improved sanitary conditions an official said. Life expectancy is 69.5 years for women and 66.5 years for men. The Egyptian authorities are trying to limit population growth, but birth control programs confront a widespread belief that contraception is against Islam. – AFP