China Ends One-child Policy

China is to do away with its controversial one-child policy,which was introduced into the world's most populous country in 1979. The ruling Communist Party (CPC) reportedly announced the decision to allow two children per couple at the end of a four-day summit to finalise its next five-year plan.


Authorities argued the subsequent economic boom was a result of the of the one-child policy. However, a rapidly ageing population, shrinking workforce and gender imbalances now suggest otherwise.

Limited exceptions to the policy were introduced in 2013, but China continued to suffer economically, with experts predicting it could be the first country ever to grow old before it becomes rich.
Xinhua