Um indicador da evolução dos preços em Portugal nos Séculos 16 a 19

The purpose of this text is to present an indicator of the evolution of prices in Portugal between the early 16th century and the early 19th century. The basic data used are those published in Godinho, 1954, Godinho, 1970 and Godinho, 1978. The methodology adopted in building the indicator tries to replicate the methodology adopted in building of the surrogate index of the cost of living for the years from 1810 to 1899 published in Nunes, Mata, Valério, 1989 and in Valério, 1993. The picture that the indicator shows of the evolution of prices in Portugal during the period under consideration is the following: during the 16th century, there was a significant rise of prices; most of the 17th century witnessed pronounced ciclical fluctuations, but presented a stagnating trend in the long run; between around 1670 and around 1730, there was a sharp rise, followed by a clear fall of prices; between around 1730 and around 1775, stabilibilty came back again; between around 1775 and around 1860, there was a new process of sharp rise, followed by a clear fall of prices.