The author focuses on the matrimonial processes in the biggest North African country – Egypt. Although under the influence of worldwide processes of globalization a transformation of marriage and family relations is taking place, the institution of the family in the Egyptian society as a whole will remain the dominant social structure for the foreseeable future. Main trends include the increasing educational level, followed by the growing average age of marriage, the decrease in the number of children per family, acquisition by families of individual accommodation, separate from their parents, the growth of women's professionalism, appearance of celibacy phenomenon for both women and men, and many others features new to the Egyptian society. A constant is the view of Egyptian and Muslim scholars in general that celibacy is immoral and is a crime against society and religion. The basic social role of an adult, which includes socially sanctioned sexual relationships, the right to have children and to live independently from parents, is available and permitted only to a lawfully married person. The successful solution of the unemployment problem makes marriage easier for the men, but the cost of housing separate from parents is very significant, and Egyptian youths regard it as a serious obstacle for the wedding. Generally, the universal role of the family will remain unchanged for a long time, until, having acquired a sufficiently developed economic basis, the state will be able to provide basic social guarantees and social security to all its citizens.