Figures published by the Netherlands' Central Bureau of Statistics shows a 25 percent increase in the number of gay couples living together in the last five years, now numbering nearly 50,000 households.

The statistics bureau reports that one in every 13 same-sex couples - more female than male - have adopted children. However, gay partnerships were more common among men than women.

The Netherlands became the first country to accord gays the right to marry and adopt children since April 1 last year.