The line graph illustrates the changes in the proportion of households owning cars in Great Britain over a 40-year period from 1961 to 2001.
Overall, it is clear that car ownership in Great Britain increased significantly over the period. The percentage of households without a car experienced a sharp decline, while the figures for families owning one car or multiple cars saw an upward trend, with one-car households remaining the most common throughout most of the period.
In 1961, around 65% of British households did not own a car, making it the largest category. However, this figure dropped dramatically over the next two decades, falling to approximately 35% in 1981, before continuing a gradual decline to finish at just under 30% in 2001. Conversely, the percentage of households with one car started at about 35% in 1961. This figure rose steadily and peaked at exactly 50% in 1981, overtaking the “no car” category by 1971. After 1981, the proportion of one-car households dipped slightly, stabilizing at around 44% by 2001.
In contrast, households with two or more cars represented the smallest share throughout the entire period, starting at 0% in 1961. This category experienced a consistent and steady growth over the 40 years, rising to roughly 11% in 1971 and continuing its upward trajectory to reach nearly 30% by 2001. By the final year, the percentage of households owning two or more cars had equaled the percentage of families with no car at all.