Dutch trust in politicians and government institutions fell during 2021 after rising in the first year of the coronavirus crisis, but people now have more faith in Europe and their fellow man, according to national statistics agency CBS.

The figures come from the latest issue of an annual CBS report on attitudes in Dutch society, which involves 75,000 people.

While trust in political institutions had hovered around 35% between 2012 and 2016, by 2020 the figure had risen to 53%. Last year, however, the figure dropped to 42% with just 35% saying they had confidence in parliament in the final quarter of the year.

At the same time, confidence in the European Union continues to rise, from 38% in 2012 to 48% in 2020 and 53% last year. Trust in the media has also risen, from 39% in 2020 to 46% in 2021.

The CBS said at least 70% of the Dutch continue to have confidence in institutions such as the police, the legal system and the army. Two-thirds of people also say they have faith in their fellow man, up from 63% in 2020.