Wzrost gospodarczy ziem polskich w okresie pierwszej globalizacji (1870–1910)
Economic Growth of Polish Territories in the Period of First Globalization (1870–1910)

Summary/Abstract: Economic growth of various countries in the period between 1870 and 1910 has been analysed in many quantitative studies. For the Polish territories there are two estimates of GDP per capita, which however cannot be treated as fully reliable. It should be noted that such estimates give rise to serious difficulties regarding methodology and data sources. In this case, a special problem is posed by the partition of Poland in the analyzed period into three regions annexed by Prussia, Russia and Austria. In this article, the authors present estimates of GDP per capita for Polish territories (in contemporary borders) and for the three occupied regions in the period 1870–1910 and compare them with the same indicator for some other states. The estimates are based on an econometric model using historical statistical data. The results indicate that the highest level of GDP per capita was noted in the areas included in Prussia; but the most rapid economic growth was observed in the Kingdom of Poland, administered by the Russian Empire. In 1910, the average level of GDP per capita within the current Poland’s borders represented 55% of the average level of the same indicator in Western Europe and 33% as compared with the United States. This relation was similar as today (about 2010, the respective indicators were 50% and 35%). This means that hundred years ago, Poland’s distance to the most developed countries, measured by GDP per capita, was not larger than in contemporary times.

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