The ownership of consumer durables rose sharply amongst the poorest tenth of the British population in the period between 1979 and 1991. Possession of washing machines increased from 69% of households to 85%, and of cars from 39% to 49%.
In 1999 in European Union, the UK led in the number of video cassette recorders, with more than eight households out of 10 owning at least one of these devices. Ireland and the Netherlands were not far behind, with seven households out of ten. Greece brought up the rear, with just over four households out of 10. The UK also held the record for microwave ovens, with more than seven households out of 10 owning one. The Irish, Dutch and the Belgians follow closely. Microwave ovens had the least success in Greece, Italy and Portugal. As for dishwashers, more than one household in two owned one in Luxembourg, followed by Austria and Germany, with roughly four households out of ten. Spain and Portugal were at the other end of the spectrum - fewer than two households out of ten had one.