They’ve tried everything from carnal-themed masses to baby-ready dating sites, “date night” childcare, ad campaigns and even prize draws for positive pregnancy tests. But now, the citizens of rural Denmark have come up with another idea to boost the country’s flagging birth rates.

People in the Danish municipality of Thisted, in north-west Jutland, have agreed on a deal with the council to procreate as much as possible over the next few years to help maintain underpopulated public services. In return, the local politicians have promised to keep schools, nurseries and leisure facilities open – on the condition that parents produce enough new children to fill them.

Lars Sloth, director of Thisted council, explains: “We had a hearing with the local community and asked them what we could do about institutions closing and so few babies being born. One of the citizens’ organisations suggested this ‘deal’ as an option.”

The idea took some getting used to. “It’s an unusual way of doing things,” admits Sloth – because nothing says “bringing sexy back” like a council memo – “but we had to do something to save our town and maintain a certain number of children in the community.”

Denmark’s birth rate is one of the lowest in Europe, with 1.7 children born per family, but in Thisted the rate is lower still, with just 1.6 babies per family, according to the council.

Thisted also has trouble hanging on to its 14,000-strong existing population, with many young people leaving for university and few returning after finishing their education.

“Young people prefer towns these days,” says Sloth: “Thisted is a beautiful area but it is rather empty. There is not so much going on.”

This is an understatement. In 2007, a police officer discovered a hermit who had been living in the forest for three years on eggs, untroubled by anyone, and the region’s own tourist website lists a candle shop as one of the top three attractions in the area. A thriving metropolis it is not. “But we have great surfing,” says Sloth. “We are actually known as Cold Hawaii.”

Surfing aside, Sloth hopes that the new measures will help his region flourish over the next few years. “The threat of shutting schools is over for now,” says Sloth. “We just need to figure out how to monitor the plan and see how many more children come along. Our intention is to create a vibrant community and attract new families.”

The mood in Thisted is positive: “Many are very excited about the new plan,” says Sloth, with young couples being the biggest enthusiasts. “There has been interest from other regions as well, so we shall see how it goes.”

Sloth has already done his bit. “I have a big family with three children,” he says, “so now it’s up to everyone else to play their part.”