Mark Zuckerberg has announced he will take two months of paternity leave after the birth of his daughter.

The Facebook chief executive made the announcement on his timeline, calling it “a very personal decision”.

Photo Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg wrote: “Priscilla and I are starting to get ready for our daughter’s arrival. We’ve been picking out our favorite childhood books and toys. We’ve also been thinking about how we’re going to take time off during the first months of her life. This is a very personal decision, and I’ve decided to take 2 months of paternity leave when our daughter arrives.”

Photo Facebook

Facebook allows its US employees to take up to 4 months of paid parental leave – time which can be used at once or throughout the child’s first year.

Mark Zuckerberg, 31, announced in July that he was expecting a baby girl with his wife, Priscilla Chan.

The Facebook founder did not say who would be replacing him at the company.

In his statement, accompanied by a picture of a pushchair and his dog, Mark Zuckerberg said: “Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children and families.”