Percentage of households with car ownership in a European country 1971-2001

The bar chart illustrates the shifts in car ownership percentages among households in a European nation between 1971 and 2001. Overall, the data indicates a clear trend towards increased vehicle ownership, as the proportion of households without a car declined substantially, while those with one or more cars became more common.

In 1971, the majority of households, at 49%, did not own a car. This figure steadily decreased to 42% in 1981 and dropped further to 30% by 1991, remaining at this level in 2001. Conversely, ownership of one car stood at 35% in 1971, fluctuated slightly to 32% in 1981, dipped to 19% in 1991, before surging to a peak of 43% by the end of the period.

Regarding households with two cars, the percentage rose from 18% in 1971 to 29% in 1981. Although there was a minor decline to 21% in 1991, this figure rebounded to 31% by 2001. In summary, while the 'no car' category saw a consistent downward trend, the ownership of one or two vehicles experienced growth, reflecting a broader societal shift towards higher car dependency over these three decades.