One in four of the main meals served at Dutch dinner tables is now vegetarian, but just 3% of the population have given up meat and fish and 0.5% are vegan and avoid all animal products, national statistics agency CBS said on Tuesday.

While three in 10 households say meat or fish is always on the menu, 22% eat a vegetarian main meal at least three times a week, and a further 43% will do so once or twice.

People who went to university or college are more likely to eat vegetarian food, with 45% of those with a degree saying they will eat dinner free from meat or fish at least three times a week.

Women are also more likely to be vegetarian than men, particularly when in their late teens and early 20s.

The CBS survey also found that the most popular reason for avoiding or cutting back on fish and meat is now climate change. Health, which led the list in 2020, is  in second place and animal welfare narrowly in third.

Official government healthy eating guidelines say people should get 60% of their protein needs from plant-based sources. According to the most recent figures from public health institute RIVM, this is now around 43%.