China has set the date for when families will be able to have two children instead of just one after passing a new two-child policy law.
Beginning on Jan. 1, China will implement a Two-Child Birth Policy, which will effectively end the one-child policy that has been in place for 35 years, New China reported.
The National People’s Congress Standing Committee passed the law during their recent bi-montly session that was held on Sunday and had been ongoing since Monday.
The revised law stated, “one couple shall be allowed to have two children.”
As previously reported, the decision to change the one-child policy came due to struggles with fertility rate in the country and as a way to help “promote a balanced growth of population.”
The one-child policy began in the ‘70s after concern due to overpopulation, but it led to sterilization method use increasing and forced abortions in many cases.
According to The Wall Street Journal, health experts did say they may not see a baby boom after the policy begins and some may decide to have just one child.