China Ends Two-Child Policy Due To Falling Birth Rate

China has scrapped its two-child policy amid concerns about its falling population.

Families in China are now set to be allowed to have up to three children, the BBC reports.

According to state media outlet Xinhua the decision as announced today (Monday 31 May) and comes after a census - which takes place once every ten years - showed that the population of China grew at its slowest in decades.

A statement from the government read: "Birth policies will be further improved. Policy that allows a couple to have three children will be introduced with supporting measures.

"This will improve the population structure of China."

It was also announced that improvements would be made on child care services, maternity leave and child birth insurance, alongside other measures including extending retirement age, South China Morning Post reports.

The National Bureaus of Statistics said there were 12 million births last year, down from 14.65 million in 2019 - an 18 percent decline, year-on-year and bringing China closer to a near six-decade birth rate low.

More to follow

Topics: World News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

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