Vietnam on Tuesday scrapped its nearly four-decade policy limiting families to two children, as Vietnamese birth rates continue to drop, the aging population increases and officials warn of long-term risks of demographic decline for the economy, defense and the fabric of society.

Vietnam has abolished its long-standing two-child limit on Tuesday to try and reverse declining birth rates and ease the pressures of an aging population. The National Assembly passed amendments scrapping rules that limit families to having one or two children,

Vietnam is the latest country to encourage bigger families. This week, Vietnam's government abandoned its long-standing policy limiting families to two children. And it’s dealing with a related issue that’s familiar to many of its regional neighbors.