The Insurers Federation of Egypt “IFE“ has underscored the growing importance of life insurance as a central pillar of financial protection for individuals and families, warning that accelerating economic and social change is amplifying risks related to death, disability, and income loss.
In a bulletin issued today, the federation pointed to a persistent gender gap in life insurance coverage, noting that global indicators show women continue to be significantly underinsured compared with men. Women, the federation said, tend to have lower coverage rates, smaller policy values, and more limited access to insurance products tailored to their income patterns and career paths.
Structural Barriers to Coverage
According to the federation, several structural factors contribute to the gap, including income disparities, the prevalence of informal or non-standard employment, and career interruptions linked to maternity and caregiving responsibilities. These realities often place women outside the scope of traditional underwriting and pricing models used in life insurance.
The impact of this gap extends beyond women themselves. The federation warned that inadequate coverage increases financial vulnerability for entire families, heightens social and economic pressures, and ultimately affects broader economic stability — making the issue a developmental challenge, not merely an insurance-sector concern.
A Challenge — and an Opportunity — for Insurers
From the industry’s perspective, the federation described the women’s life insurance gap as both a market failure and a growth opportunity. While its persistence reflects shortcomings in product design, underwriting practices, and pricing mechanisms, addressing it could enable insurers to expand coverage, enhance insurance inclusion, and achieve sustainable growth in life insurance portfolios.
The bulletin aims to provide an analytical overview of the issue by examining global data and indicators, assessing economic and market-driven factors, and proposing practical, implementable solutions. The objective, the federation said, is to strengthen women’s financial protection while contributing to family stability and a more resilient life insurance market.
Rethinking Product Design and Distribution
The federation stressed that narrowing the protection gap requires more than simply expanding coverage volumes. It called for a redefinition of life insurance products to better reflect women’s economic and social realities, income variability, and participation in both formal and informal labor markets.
Key recommendations include developing simpler, more flexible insurance products, expanding digital distribution channels, and improving insurance literacy among women to highlight life insurance as a long-term financial protection tool.
Regulatory Cooperation and Sustainable Impact
The federation also emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation between insurance companies, the Financial Regulatory Authority, and other relevant stakeholders to support regulatory and legislative initiatives that encourage innovation, ensure fair pricing, and strengthen trust in the insurance system.
Addressing the women’s life insurance gap, the federation concluded, represents a direct investment in economic and social stability. By advancing women’s financial inclusion and protection, the sector can support Egypt’s sustainable development goals while reinforcing the long-term growth and resilience of the national insurance market.
