Historical National Accounts

The datahub on Comparative Historical National Accounts provides information on Gross Domestic Product, including an industry breakdown, for the 19th and 20th centuries. This dataset is a complement to Angus Maddison’s estimates of World GDP. It gives the user GDP estimates at current as well as constant prices, and presents more detailed estimates at an industry level. These data will enable researchers to analyse the process of economic growth and structural change in more detail. The construction of the database was supported by grants from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), grant no: 380-53-002, and the European Science Foundation (ESF). The database is coordinated by Jutta Bolt.

Attribution requirement - When using these data (for whatever purpose), please make the following reference:

• J.P. Smits, P.J. Woltjer and D. Ma (2009), 'A Dataset on Comparative Historical National Accounts, ca. 1870-1950: A Time-Series Perspective', Groningen Growth and Development Centre Research Memorandum GD-107, Groningen: University of Groningen

Downloadable Data Western Europe

Downloadable Data Eastern Europe

Downloadable Data North America

Downloadable Data Asia

Downloadable Data Latin America

Downloadable Data World Agriculture

All Countries

The long term constant output estimates for Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing and Industries for all countries have been compiled into the "overview" file below. The series, as listed in the Historical National Accounts datahub, have been extended to include the year 2005, using data from the GGDC 10-sector database.

Sources and Methods

Extending the Database

This version of the datahub presents the first generation of disaggregated Historical National Accounts for a number of European and East Asian countries as well as the United States. It is our aim to expand on this selection of countries as well as supplement the currently available data with new or revised figures. We will try and incorporate any additions, revisions or suggestions made by our users - based on either already published country studies or as yet unpublished research - and we will provide regular updates accordingly. If you would like to make any additions to the Historical National Accounts datahub please contact us at the following address: ggdc rug.nl.