China moves to encourage bigger families

Authorities in China’s capital will extend leave from work for new mothers and fathers, state media reported yesterday, in what appeared to be the latest incentive to encourage families to have more children.

The world’s largest economy faces a shrinking labour force and ageing population, meaning it could be the first country in the world to age before it first gets rich.

Last year, the ruling Chinese Communist Party announced it would relax its long-standing and controversial “one-child policy”, allowing all couples to have two children.