The bar chart illustrated the percentage of UK households that owned various consumer durables in 1991 and 2006. Overall, household ownership of almost all items increased over the period. Telephones and washing machine consistently remained among the most common appliances, while mobile phones and internet connections, although much lower in 1996, experienced the most noticeable surge by 2006.
In 1996, telephones were the most widely owned product at around 90% and this figure slightly rose by 2006. Ownership of microwaves also grew roughly from 70% to about 80%. a similar pattern was seen in the ease of fridge, which had a modest increase of 5% washing machines also exhibited growth, climbing from ariund 70% to nearly 80%.
In contrast, ownership of mobile phones rose dramatically, jumping from about 20% in 1996 to nearly 60% in 2006., making it one of the fastest growing items. The most striking increase, however, was recorded in internet connections, which grew sharply from 10% to 65% overtaking mobile phones.