Two Thousand Years of Growth: World Income & Population

by Catherine Mulbrandon on November 11, 2007

Ever wonder what the last 2 thousand years of economic growth looked like? The graph below was created using estimates of world population and GDP per capita going back 2 thousand years. (The circle size and color change as GDP per capita increases.)

{Click on the image to take a closer look}
world population and GDP per capita magnifying glass

Data estimates for population and GDP per capita are from Angus Maddison Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Groningen. 1990 international Geary-Khamis dollars are purchasing power parities (PPPs) used to evaluate output which are calculated based on international prices. See United Nations Statistics Division for more information their computation.

[tags]income distribution, population, GDP per Capita, economic history[/tags]

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