Cairo Demographic Center (CDC) is a public institution that performs and executes scientific activities. It has a corporate identity under the authority of the Ministry of Planning. According to the Presidential Decree No. 144/2003, in terms of reorganizing the Center, its objectives were defined in spreading and disseminating demographic awareness/knowledge..., carrying out research projects in Population and related fields, as well as undertaking training programs and organizing specialized seminars and conferences.

Generally, CDC current objectives could be specified as follows:

- Planning and carrying out educational programs in Population and Development at the levels of General Diploma, Special Diploma, and Master (MPhil) Degree.
- Offering short-term training programs in Demography, Population, and Development to interested agencies and individuals. 
- Conducting research, studies, and surveys in Population and related fields. 
- Providing specialized technical assistance and consultancy services to governments and organizations. 
- Organizing conferences / seminars on population and development issues, and publishing research results among concerned parties.

 In the sixties of the 20th century, and precisely in February 1963, CDC was established within an agreement between the United Nations and the Egyptian Government so as to be a regional center for population studies and research, serving the North African countries and the Arab countries in Southeast Asia. At that time it was called the "Demographic Center for North Africa". Its role during that early stage was training, conducting research in a limited way, and translating some United Nations population publications.

 In November 1968, the agreement was renewed for a second five-year period. Throughout this stage, the educational services of the Center extended geographically to include nearly all Africa and many countries in Asia. Its name became "Cairo Demographic Center (CDC)". The scope of educational programs enlarged and diversified to include research work. It began to offer short-term training programs to different interested organizations and agencies. Translation and publication activities increased at that time, besides the development that took place in the Center's infrastructure.

 In 1973, the cooperation agreement between the United Nations and the Egyptian Government regarding CDC was renewed again for a third five - year period, followed by more successive five-year periods until 1991.

 Throughout those periods, immensely substantial progress took place in the scope of CDC activities. Its roles enhanced and intensified with regard to the academic/educational programs, short-term training, research work, technical assistance provided to others, the Center's institutional development, publications, joint activities and cooperation with international, regional, and local organizations.

 However, by the end of the last period of the agreement between the United Nations and the Egyptian Government (1987-1991), CDC started a new phase, terminating about three decades of UN support and assistance. CDC was announced in January 1992 an independent institution under the authority of the Egyptian Government, according to the Presidential Decree No. 147/1992, which stated in its first article that" Cairo Demographic Center continues carrying out its original activities and enjoys its own independent corporate identity." It stated in its second article that "A Presidential Decree will be issued regarding the reorganization of the Center, definition of its functions, forming its board of directors, and its financial resources."