The bar chart illustrates the percentage of the number of people per household in the UK in 1981 and 2001. Overall, while the proportion of one and two-person households increased, all remaining categories including three or more individuals experienced a decline during this time. Notably, the figure for six-person households was the lowest in both periods.
The percentage of people living solo increased dramatically, from 17% in 1981 to 26% in 2001, making it the highest shift in the chart. This was followed by two-person households, starting with 31% initially, the proportion then rose slightly to 34% in the end. Both figures constituted 60% of the total in the end of the period.
Turning to larger households, there was a decrease in three-person households, starting with 20% at first; the percentage then finished at 17%. Similarly, the percentage of four-person households reduced slightly, 18% in 1981 and 15% in 2001. As for others, neither five nor six-person households represented 10% of the total in both periods.