The Dutch take more exercise than anyone else in Europe, with 80% cycling, walking, swimming, dancing or gardening on a weekly basis, according to European Commission figures, quoted by Trouw.

The European average is just 44%, the Eurobarometer research shows. In total, 28,000 people over the age of 15 were polled for the survey, of whom just over 1,000 were in the Netherlands.

VU University professor Eco de Geus told Trouw the good infrastructure in the Netherlands makes it easy for people to exercise by, for example, cycling to work.

In terms of sport, the Netherlands also scored well, with 56% playing sports on a regular basis, compared with an EU average of 40%. However, Sweden, Denmark and Finland topped the sports list.

The Dutch are also more likely to say they take part in sport for pleasure rather than to improve their health than other EU nationals, Trouw said.