The epidemiology of multiple pregnancy is complex and depends on various factors including age, race, genetic and environmental factors, season of conception and, more recently, iatrogenic factors. In recent years, twinning rate increased dramatically especially in countries where ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technologies are widely used. Multiple pregnancies are most frequent in Nigeria where majority of them are dizygotic. The lowest frequency of twinning is observed in Japan where almost 70% of multiples are monozygotic. This paper discusses genetic, environmental and sociocultural factors which are related to the "epidemic" of multiples.