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Poland, of which 87.5 per cent of the contry is Catholic, is so keen to reverse the drop in numbers officials are urging its citizens to "breed like rabbits". The health ministry in Warsaw has published a video with rabbits eating lettuce and carrots and a narrator revealing the secret of their big families, which is exercise, healthy diet and a little bit of stress.

GETTY The Polish government wants its population to breed like rabbits

If you ever want to be a parent, follow the example of rabbit Polish health ministry

The Polish government is concerned the low birth rate will be an issue to keep its pension system afloat. The video tells viewers: “If you ever want to be a parent, follow the example of rabbits.” Poland is trying to reverse its shrinking population, which currently stands at 38 million.

10 ways to boost your fertility Wed, July 26, 2017 10 ways to boost your fertility. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 11 10 ways to boost your fertility

According to EU figures, the nation’s birth rate was 1.32 per woman in 2015, which is the second lowest in Europe, after Portugal. The country’s health ministry said it wanted to encourage Polish citizens, between the ages of 18 and 45, to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to improve their reproductive health.

GETTY The health ministry wants its citizens to adopt a healthy lifestyle so they can reproduce

Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, around two million Poles have emigrated abroad, which combined with a weak birth rate is leading to an ageing country. The average birth rates in the EU sees the women having 1.6 children. The highest birth rates are found in Ireland with 17 births per thousand per year.

GETTY The Polish PM Beato Szydlo is concerned for the low birth rate