Around half of people over the age of 55 have difficulty managing household chores and other activities, with single people struggling more than those with a partner, the latest health monitor figures from statistics agency CBS have shown.

Activities which caused problems include preparing a meal, managing finances, and housework. Some 34% of people over the age of 75 said they were struggling with at least one household activity or could not do it at all.

There are currently some 1.3 million people over the age of 75 in the Netherlands. That figure will almost have doubled to 2.1 million by 2030, government figures show.

Over nine in 10 of the over 75s still independently at home, as do two-thirds of the over 90s.

The last regular pensioners homes in the Netherlands closed in 2020. Although in the main, people prefer to live at home for as long as possible, the home help services that are meant to enable them to continue to live independently are struggling to find staff and waiting lists are long.

The percentage of people in all age groups who have trouble with day-to-day activities is higher among people who live alone than people who have a partner, at 67% and 45% respectively.