Throughout the Second World War, the United States consistently had the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. Additionally, U.S. GDP grew significantly throughout the war, whereas the economies of Europe and Japan saw relatively little growth, and were often in decline. The impact of key events in the war is also reflected in the trends shown here - the economic declines of France and the Soviet Union coincide with the years of German invasion, while the economies of the three Axis countries experienced their largest declines in the final year of the war.

Between 1820 and 1913, Asia's share of global GDP fell from 58 percent to just 27 percent. Although Asia's overall GDP grew throughout the given period, the rapid industrialization observed across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand saw their combined share increase from 35 percent to 67 percent, which offset Asia's growth. In particular, the combined share of North America, Australia, and New Zealand grew over ten times larger in this period, from two percent in 1820 to 21 percent in 1913.

View economic output, reported as the nominal value of all new goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S.

Graph and download economic data for Real GDP at Constant National Prices for Costa Rica (RGDPNACRA666NRUG) from 1950 to 2019 about Costa Rica, real, GDP, and price.

This dataset contains country level economic and social measures for 183 countries. Part 1, World Tables (1980 File), contains, where available, measures of (1)population, (2)national accounts and price data for 1950, 1955, 1960 through 1977, (3)data on external trade for 1962, 1965, 1970, and 1977, (4)data on balance of payments, debt, central government finance and trade indices for 1970-1977, and (5)social data for 1960, 1970, and (estimated) 1977. More specifically, the groupings include population, GDP by industrial origin and expenditures in constant local prices and current local prices, exchange rates and indices, balance of payments and external debt ($US), central government finance in local currency, social indicators, and external trade. Part 2, World Tables (1982 File), contains data on national accounts, prices, exchange rates and population for 1960-1981. The groupings include GDP by industrial origin as well as expenditure in current local prices and constant local prices, area, population, exchange rates, and indices and savings.

During the "Golden Age of Capitalism", from 1950 to 1973, GDP grew by annual averages of just under five percent in Western Europe*, four percent in the U.S., and ten percent in Japan. This period of prosperity came to an end with the recession of 1973-1975, however GDP growth rates did not return to their previous levels when the recession ended, as growth was fairly sporadic in the 1970s and then much slower throughout the 1980s. From 1973 to 1987, GDP grew annually at just two fifth of the Golden Age's rate in Europe and Japan, while the U.S.' annual rates were somewhat closer.

One major difference between the two given periods was that the U.S. was the dominant and most influential economy of all developed (non-communist) countries in the 1950s and 1960s, however, the 1970s and 1980s saw Japan and the European Communities (led by West Germany and France) emerge as major economic powers in their own right. While the U.S. remained the most powerful country in the world, other developed nations became more economically autonomous, and began asserting their own influence internationally.

Graph and download economic data for Real GDP at Constant National Prices for Germany (RGDPNADEA666NRUG) from 1950 to 2019 about Germany, real, GDP, and price.

Between 1900 and 1950, Scandinavian countries saw the largest growth in GDP per capita in Europe, more than doubling between 1913 and 1950. In comparison, growth rates were much lower in Western Europe, and lower still in East-Central Europe. From 1913 (the year before the First World War) until the end of the Second World War's recovery period in 1950, Western Europe's GDP per capita grew by just 43 percent, while East-Central Europe's figure increased by just 26 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Real GDP at Constant National Prices for Italy (RGDPNAITA666NRUG) from 1950 to 2019 about Italy, real, GDP, and price.

Context

Life expectancy at birth is defined as the average number of years that a newborn could expect to live if he or she were to pass through life subject to the age-specific mortality rates of a given period. The years are from 1950 to 2018.

Content

For regional- and global-level data pre-1950, data from a study by Riley was used, which draws from over 700 sources to estimate life expectancy at birth from 1800 to 2001.

Riley estimated life expectancy before 1800, which he calls "the pre-health transition period". "Health transitions began in different countries in different periods, as early as the 1770s in Denmark and as late as the 1970s in some countries of sub-Saharan Africa". As such, for the sake of consistency, we have assigned the period before the health transition to the year 1770. "The life expectancy values employed are averages of estimates for the period before the beginning of the transitions for countries within that region. ... This period has presumably the weakest basis, the largest margin of error, and the simplest method of deriving an estimate."

For country-level data pre-1950, Clio Infra's dataset was used, compiled by Zijdeman and Ribeira da Silva (2015).

For country-, regional- and global-level data post-1950, data published by the United Nations Population Division was used, since they are updated every year. This is possible because Riley writes that "for 1950-2001, I have drawn life expectancy estimates chiefly from various sources provided by the United Nations, the World Bank’s World Development Indicators, and the Human Mortality Database".

For the Americas from 1950-2015, the population-weighted average of Northern America and Latin America and the Caribbean was taken, using UN Population Division estimates of population size.

Acknowledgements

Life expectancy:

Data publisher's source: https://www.lifetable.de/RileyBib.pdf Data published by: James C. Riley (2005) – Estimates of Regional and Global Life Expectancy, 1800–2001. Issue Population and Development Review. Population and Development Review. Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 537–543, September 2005., Zijdeman, Richard; Ribeira da Silva, Filipa, 2015, "Life Expectancy at Birth (Total)", http://hdl.handle.net/10622/LKYT53, IISH Dataverse, V1, and UN Population Division (2019) Link: https://datasets.socialhistory.org/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=hdl:10622/LKYT53, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2005.00083.x/epdf, https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/ Dataset: https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy

GDP per capita:

Data publisher's source: The Maddison Project Database is based on the work of many researchers that have produced estimates of economic growth for individual countries. Data published by: Bolt, Jutta and Jan Luiten van Zanden (2020), “Maddison style estimates of the evolution of the world economy. A new 2020 update”. Link: https://www.rug.nl/ggdc/historicaldevelopment/maddison/releases/maddison-project-database-2020 Dataset: https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy

Inspiration

The life expectancy vs GDP per capita analysis.

Panama PA: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data was reported at 55,187.754 PAB mn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 52,132.290 PAB mn for 2015. Panama PA: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data is updated yearly, averaging 5,166.774 PAB mn from Dec 1950 (Median) to 2016, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 55,187.754 PAB mn in 2016 and a record low of 256.800 PAB mn in 1950. Panama PA: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Panama – Table PA.IMF.IFS: Gross Domestic Product: by Expenditure: Annual.

Key information about France Real GDP Growth

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in France expanded 0.9 % YoY in Sep 2025, following a growth of 0.7 % in the previous quarter.
• Real GDP Growth YoY data in France is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1950 to Sep 2025, with an average rate of 3.8 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 17.1 % in Jun 2021 and a record low of -17.1 % in Jun 2020.

• In the latest reports, Nominal GDP of France reached 875.2 USD bn in Sep 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 0.9 % in Sep 2025.
• GDP Per Capita in France reached 46,068.9 USD in Dec 2024.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 14.2 % in Dec 2017.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 21.5 % in Sep 2025.
• Public Consumption accounted for 24.3 % in Sep 2025.
• Private Consumption accounted for 54.3 % in Sep 2025.

Context

Time use can vary greatly by country and between genders, be it by it's location, cultural differences, or economic situation. The data provided is by no means exhaustive but contains some interesting information on leisure time by gender, as well as historic data (1950-2017) on Avg. work hours and GDP in different countries and continents.

Content

Datasets from two sources are provided: 1. OECD Time use country statistics: Based on a collection of different questionnaires for different countries, it provides a distribution for time spent on different activities for both men and women in different countries. 2. Penn World Table (PWT) with information on RGDPO (in mil. 2017US$), work hours and population (in millions) actively working. Covering 183 countries between 1950 and 2019.

*RGDPO: Output-side real GDP at chained PPPs, to compare relative productive capacity across countries and over time. Example: Productive capacity of China today compared to the US at some point in the past.

If you'd like, you can see an exploration of the data on my notebook: Data exploration

Acknowledgements

These databases provide additional indicators and may be of interest: - https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TIME_USE - https://www.rug.nl/ggdc/productivity/pwt/

Inspiration

It is an interesting, easy to handle dataset which provides a great opportunity for interesting visuals and identifying relationships or trends between indicators.

Some questions to answer: - How to annual working hours relate to GDP per capita. - Is there a specific trend in working hours vs GDP per capita % change? Is it different for any specific region? - Is there any relationship between leisure time use and location, GDP or religion? - Is there a time use discrepancy by gender?

Graph and download economic data for Real GDP at Constant National Prices for Peru (RGDPNAPEA666NRUG) from 1950 to 2019 about Peru, real, GDP, and price.

GDP: Deflator: sa: Exports of Goods and Services data was reported at 121.688 2015=100 in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 120.622 2015=100 for 2023. GDP: Deflator: sa: Exports of Goods and Services data is updated yearly, averaging 78.147 2015=100 from Dec 1947 (Median) to 2024, with 78 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 122.531 2015=100 in 2022 and a record low of 20.474 2015=100 in 1950. GDP: Deflator: sa: Exports of Goods and Services data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.OECD.MEI: Gross Domestic Product: GDP Deflator: Seasonally Adjusted: OECD Member: Annual.

Context

This dataset provides comprehensive global demographic and socioeconomic indicators for each country, compiled for the year 2024. It includes data on population sizes, growth rates, fertility rates, migration, urbanization, and other critical factors that influence global social and economic trends.

Key Features:

Country Name: The name of each country or region included in the dataset.

Population (2024): Estimated total population of each country for the year 2024, measured in millions or billions.

Population Growth Rate: The annual percentage change in population from one year to the next. It highlights whether the population is growing or declining.

Urbanization Percentage: The proportion of the population living in urban areas, indicating trends in urban migration and the shift from rural to urban living.

Fertility Rate: The average number of children born per woman of childbearing age, a key indicator of population reproduction levels.

Median Age: The median age of the population, reflecting the age distribution and helping to assess population aging or youthfulness.

Life Expectancy at Birth: The average number of years a newborn is expected to live, assuming current mortality rates persist.

Infant Mortality Rate: The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births, a key indicator of healthcare quality and access.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product): The total monetary or market value of all the goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a given time period (usually measured annually in USD).

GDP per Capita: GDP divided by the total population, reflecting the average economic output per person and serving as a measure of the average income or economic standard of living.

Human Development Index (HDI): A composite index that considers life expectancy, education, and income per capita to provide an overall measure of human development.

Applications of the Dataset: Policy and Development Analysis: Governments, international organizations, and think tanks can use this data to craft development policies, allocate resources, and address issues such as urbanization, aging populations, and fertility rates.

Economic Forecasting and Analysis: Economists and financial institutions can leverage this data for macroeconomic analysis, forecasting, and investment decisions, especially using indicators like GDP, GDP per capita, and HDI.

Social and Health Research: Public health organizations can track health indicators like life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and fertility rates to guide public health interventions and strategies.

Education and Demography: Educators and researchers in the fields of demography, sociology, and global studies can use this dataset to analyze population trends, migration patterns, and social changes across the globe.

Sources of Data:

The data is sourced from reputable international organizations including the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other national statistical agencies.

Data Use & Limitations:

Use: This dataset is intended for general research, educational, and analytical purposes. It provides a snapshot of global demographic trends and socioeconomic conditions as of 2024. Limitations: While the data is collected from reliable sources, estimates for certain countries may vary slightly due to differing methods of data collection or reporting across regions. Additionally, as some countries may not have updated data for 2024, projections or estimates have been used where necessary.

Key information about United States Real GDP Growth

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in United States expanded 2.1 % YoY in Jun 2025, following a growth of 2.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Real GDP Growth YoY data in US is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1948 to Jun 2025, with an average rate of 3.1 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 13.4 % in Dec 1950 and a record low of -7.4 % in Jun 2020.

• In the latest reports, Nominal GDP of US reached 7,621.4 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 2.5 % in Jun 2025.
• GDP Per Capita in US reached 59,484.0 USD in Dec 2017.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 17.0 % in Jun 2025.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 21.2 % in Jun 2025.
• Public Consumption accounted for 13.6 % in Jun 2025.
• Private Consumption accounted for 68.1 % in Jun 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Real GDP at Constant National Prices for Spain (RGDPNAESA666NRUG) from 1950 to 2019 about Spain, real, GDP, and price.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): per Capita: Zhejiang data was reported at 135,565.000 RMB in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 125,043.000 RMB for 2023. Gross Domestic Product (GDP): per Capita: Zhejiang data is updated yearly, averaging 1,478.000 RMB from Dec 1950 (Median) to 2024, with 75 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 135,565.000 RMB in 2024 and a record low of 83.000 RMB in 1950. Gross Domestic Product (GDP): per Capita: Zhejiang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s National Accounts – Table CN.AA: Gross Domestic Product per Capita.

Venezuela VE: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data was reported at 23,751,849.491 VEF mn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,025,329.791 VEF mn for 2015. Venezuela VE: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data is updated yearly, averaging 291.270 VEF mn from Dec 1950 (Median) to 2016, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,751,849.491 VEF mn in 2016 and a record low of 11.826 VEF mn in 1950. Venezuela VE: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Venezuela – Table VE.IMF.IFS: Gross Domestic Product: by Expenditure: Annual.