House prices rose by an average of 7.8% last year, according to figures published by the land registry agency Kadaster and national statistics office CBS on Friday.

The annual increase – 10.4% – was particularly notable in Groningen province, the CBS said. In Noord-Holland, which includes Amsterdam, the rise was a more modest 6.5%.

Amsterdam also showed the lowest rise of the four big cities and the 4.7% increase was half that of Utrecht.

Not only did prices rise, but more properties changed hands, the CBS said. In total, 236,000 homes ended up with a new owner in 2020, a rise of 7.7% on 2019.

Earlier this month, real estate agents’ association NVM said house prices were up nearly 12% year on year at the end of December.

The increase was most modest in Amsterdam, where average prices rose 3.4% over the year, and was strongest – 22% – in the town of Hardenberg, near the German border, the NVM said. Its figures are based on the results booked by members, who account for around two thirds of Dutch real estate agents.