Some 67% of the Dutch now have a smartphone, outstripping the number with a personal computer for the first time, according to market research group GfK.

Some 65% of the Dutch population of nearly 17 million have a pc while 53% own a tablet computer.

One in five smartphone users said they never use the device to make phone calls; instead they take advantage of free messaging services like Whatsapp, and use email.

Social media

Facebook remains the most popular social network channel for Dutch users – over seven out of 10 people have a Facebook account. On average people make 24 visits a week to their Facebook page, up from 20 in 2012.

Some 27% have a Twitter account but use of the microblogging service has plunged from 22 visits a week a year ago to just 13.

The GfK survey also showed one third of people now use at least one video-on-demand service.

Older users

Other research published on Friday by the national statistics office CBS showed that 55% of Dutch people in the 65 to 75 age category use internet daily.

This is one of the highest rates in Europe.

In addition, 20% of the over-75s say they use internet on a daily basis.