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Convergence in the pre-1914 Atlantic economy: what really happened to wages in Ireland between 1881 and 1911?

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  • Jason Begley
  • Frank Geary
  • Tom Stark

Abstract

After the Famine, Irish wages caught up to those of Great Britain. Catch-up is ascribed to globalised labour markets and the effects of emigration. However current estimates of the level of Irish wages and their rate of growth are based on a small sample of the male workforce. This article presents estimates of the average wage for all wage earners and the Irish wage bill. This enables an estimate of an (implied) British average wage and wage bill. The new estimates show that although there was significant wage catch-up in a few occupations, in general catch-up was less rapid than recent studies have suggested. The origins of this catch-up are also examined. Consistent with earlier studies which emphasise modernisation of the post-Famine economy, the evidence of this article is consistent with the effects of traditional convergence forces such as TFP growth, capital accumulation and structural change operating alongside the effects of emigration.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason Begley & Frank Geary & Tom Stark, 2016. "Convergence in the pre-1914 Atlantic economy: what really happened to wages in Ireland between 1881 and 1911?," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 40(1), pages 43-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:40:y:2016:i:1:p:43-67.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cje/beu063
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    Cited by:

    1. Fredrik N G Andersson & Jason Lennard, 2019. "Irish GDP between the Famine and the First World War: estimates based on a dynamic factor model," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 23(1), pages 50-71.
    2. Seán Kenny & Jason Lennard & Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke, 2023. "An annual index of Irish industrial production, 1800–1913," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 76(1), pages 283-304, February.
    3. Seán Kenny & Jason Lennard & Kevin Hjortshøj O’Rourke, 2020. "An annual index of Irish industrial production, 1800-1921," Oxford Economic and Social History Working Papers _185, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    4. Nina Boberg-Fazlić & Markus Lampe & Paul Sharp, 2021. "The Sleeping Giant Who Left for America: The Determinants and Impact of Danish Emigration During the Age of Mass Migration," Working Papers 0213, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    5. Solomos Solomou & Ryland Thomas, 2023. "Updated estimates of UK GDP from the income side, 1841–1920," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 76(3), pages 701-727, August.
    6. Solomos Solomou & Ryland Thomas, 2019. "Feinstein Fulfilled: Updated Estimates of UK GDP 1841-1920," Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE) Technical Reports ESCOE-TR-04, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE).

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