A Compromise Estimate of German Net National Product, 1851–1913, and its Implications for Growth and Business Cycles

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic History
Year: 2005
Volume: 65
Issue: 3
Pages: 613-657

Authors (2)

BURHOP, CARSTEN (not in RePEc) WOLFF, GUNTRAM B. (Bruegel)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We develop a compromise estimate of the German Net National Product for the years 1851–1913 based on four estimates from Hoffmann (1965) and Hoffmann and Müller (1959) by recalculating industrial production, investment, home and foreign capital income. Because differences remain during the early decades, we compute a weighted average compromise series. Economic activity is shown to be higher than the older estimates suggest. The average growth rate is lower. The average business cycle lasted five years, with high volatility in the early decades. The typical Gründerzeit pattern of boom then prolonged recession after 1873 can not be confirmed.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:cup:jechis:v:65:y:2005:i:03:p:613-657_00
Journal Field
Economic History
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29