The World Economy: Historical Statistics
Angus Maddison published The World Economy: Historical Statistics in 2004 through the OECD Development Centre. This work examined population and economic growth across many centuries before the modern era. It did not simply describe current global conditions but traced how economies functioned from 1000 AD onward. The text covered a span of over one thousand years to establish long-term trends. Readers could see how populations expanded alongside economic output during this vast timeframe.
Europe's gross domestic product per capita grew faster than leading Asian economies after 1000 AD. By the fifteenth century, European levels surpassed those found elsewhere in the world. Angus Maddison documented this shift in his volume titled A Millennial Perspective. The data showed Europe reaching higher GDP per capita levels starting from that specific historical period. Asian GDP per capita remained static until 1800 when it began shrinking in absolute terms. This divergence marked a turning point in global economic history.
Asian nations lost ground economically until the year 1800 according to Maddison's analysis. They recovered significantly only after the 1950s following centuries of stagnation. Japan experienced a much faster rise compared to other regions during the recovery phase. East Asia also saw substantial economic growth as the twentieth century progressed. Russia suffered an economic shrinkage throughout the 1990s while other areas rebuilt their wealth. These patterns highlighted distinct regional trajectories within the same global framework.
The book consists of mass statistical tables presented on a decade-by-decade basis. Detailed notes explain the methods used to arrive at each particular figure. Readers must consult these methodological explanations to understand how the numbers were calculated. The text relies heavily on these structured datasets rather than narrative descriptions alone. Each table represents a specific snapshot of economic conditions for that time period. The approach prioritizes quantitative evidence over qualitative storytelling.
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Common questions
When was The World Economy: Historical Statistics by Angus Maddison published?
Angus Maddison published The World Economy: Historical Statistics in 2004 through the OECD Development Centre. This work examined population and economic growth across many centuries before the modern era.
What time period does Angus Maddison cover in his book The World Economy: Historical Statistics?
The text covered a span of over one thousand years to establish long-term trends from 1000 AD onward. Readers could see how populations expanded alongside economic output during this vast timeframe.
How did Europe's GDP per capita compare to Asian economies after 1000 AD according to Angus Maddison?
Europe's gross domestic product per capita grew faster than leading Asian economies after 1000 AD. By the fifteenth century, European levels surpassed those found elsewhere in the world.
Why did Asian GDP per capita shrink in absolute terms until 1800 in Angus Maddison's analysis?
Asian nations lost ground economically until the year 1800 according to Maddison's analysis. They recovered significantly only after the 1950s following centuries of stagnation.
What format do the statistical tables take in Angus Maddison's The World Economy: Historical Statistics?
The book consists of mass statistical tables presented on a decade-by-decade basis. Detailed notes explain the methods used to arrive at each particular figure.