The charts illustrate the percentage of different sized households in the UK, in 1981 and 2001.
Overall, the most common sized household in both measured years was that of 2-person households, while 6-person households were the least common. Additionally, while the percentage of 1-person and 2-person households increased, the percentage of all other sized households decreased.
In 1981, 31% of all households contained 2 people, while 20% of households contained 3 people. 1-person and 4-person households made up similar percentages, at 17% and 18% respectively, whereas 5-person and 6-person households only made up 8% and 6% of the total.
By 2001, the proportion of 1-person and 2-person households had risen to 26% and 34% respectively. Meanwhile, the proportion of all other sized households had decreased, with 3 and 4-person households dropping to similar levels, at 17% and 15% respectively, and 5 and 6-person households dropping to 6% and 2% respectively.
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