The World Economy: Historical Statistics

The World Economy: Historical Statistics is a comprehensive economic reference book published in 2004 by Angus Maddison through the OECD Development Centre. The work presents extensive data on population growth and economic development across regions and centuries, tracking the evolution of the global economy from antiquity to modern times. The book contains statistical tables organized by decade, with detailed methodological notes explaining the calculations and data sources. Maddison's research reveals significant patterns in economic development, including Europe's GDP growth relative to Asia from 1000 AD onward, and the dramatic shifts in economic power during the 20th century. The publication exists in both print and digital formats, with select data tables available through official online channels. The statistical compilation continues to serve as a foundation for historical economic analysis through the Maddison Project, which was established after the author's death to maintain and expand upon his work. This pivotal reference work represents a milestone in quantitative economic history, providing scholars and researchers with a standardized framework for understanding long-term global economic development patterns.

Readers value this book as a reference source for historical economic data spanning millennia. Professional economists and researchers cite its comprehensive GDP estimates and population figures from 1 AD onward. Liked: - Detailed statistical tables covering multiple regions and time periods - Clear methodology explanations for data compilation - Useful comparisons between countries and regions over time - References and sources well-documented Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Limited analysis/narrative alongside the statistics - Some readers question accuracy of pre-1820 estimates - High price point for printed edition Reviews: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (5 ratings) Google Books: No ratings available Notable reader comment: "An incredible achievement in data collection and estimation, though the presentation is quite dry" - Goodreads reviewer The book is frequently referenced in academic papers but has limited reviews on consumer platforms due to its specialized nature.

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🌍 The book quantifies China's dominant economic position in year 1000 CE, when it produced approximately 22.7% of global GDP 📈 Maddison created the "Maddison Project Database," which continues to be updated by researchers and is freely accessible online for global economic data spanning two millennia 📚 Author Angus Maddison spent over 40 years collecting and standardizing historical economic statistics across different cultures and time periods 🏛️ The book reveals that Ancient Rome's peak GDP per capita wasn't surpassed in Western Europe until the 1800s 🔍 This work pioneered the use of purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations for historical economic comparisons, making it possible to meaningfully compare economies across different time periods