The number of people requesting to die by euthanasia in Holland rose by 13pc last year to 4,188, new figures show.

The figures were published for the five regional committees responsible for ensuring the legal conditions for euthanasia are met, website DutchNews reports.

Euthanasia requests have risen steadily since 2006 when 1,923 people applied for assisted suicide.

Researchers have been unable to determine why the number of request is rising, but say they suspect it is due to greater acceptance of euthanasia by both patients and doctors.

A large majority of last year’s requests came from people with cancer – 3,251. In 42 cases, people with dementia were involved and 13 had severe psychiatric problems.

In just 10 cases, the committees ruled doctors had not met all the conditions for assisted suicide and involved health ministry inspectors. Two of these related to dementia patients and the difficulty of ensuring they had given informed consent.

Some 80% of people who opt for euthanasia die at home.

Euthanasia has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002.

In 2010 a citizens’ initiative called Out of Free Will further demanded that all Dutch people over 70 who feel tired of life should have the right to professional help in ending it.