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Economic Growth in Germany, 1500–1850

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  • Pfister, Ulrich

Abstract

New data are used to construct a time series of real GDP in Germany for the period 1500–1850 using an indirect output estimation technique that relies on wages, prices, and sectoral employment. Until the mid-seventeenth century, real GDP per capita moved inversely with population. The eighteenth century saw a modest rise in output per head. From the late 1810s, economic growth gradually accelerated. The results shed new light on the reversal of fortunes in early modern Europe and the transition from a Malthusian regime to modern economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Pfister, Ulrich, 2022. "Economic Growth in Germany, 1500–1850," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 82(4), pages 1071-1107, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:82:y:2022:i:4:p:1071-1107_5
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    Cited by:

    1. Broadberry, Stephen & Lennard, Jason, 2024. "European business cycles and economic growth, 1300–2000," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    2. Philipp Koch & Viktor Stojkoski & C'esar A. Hidalgo, 2025. "Augmenting the availability of historical GDP per capita estimates through machine learning," Papers 2505.09399, arXiv.org.
    3. Deseau, Arnaud, 2024. "Speed of convergence in a Malthusian world: Weak or strong homeostasis?," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    4. Alfani, Guido & Gierok, Victoria & Schaff, Felix, 2025. "Poverty in Germany from the Black Death until the Beginning of Industrialization," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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