We proudly introduce the Historical National Accounts datahub of the Groningen Growth and Development Centre: (http://www.ggdc.net/). During the last years more and more detailed historical national accounts have become available. It is for this reason that the GGDC in collaboration with the Department of Economic History of the London School of Economics has initiated a new research project dealing with the construction of comparative historical national accounts. The set up of this database was supported by a grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Ressearch (NWO).

We also have benefited from the ESF Globaleuronet Research Networking Programme led by Stefano Battilossi (Carlos III, Madrid).

Our main goal was to bring together the available, but often fragmented, data on GDP at the industry level for all major economies. We standardised these estimates across countries to make possible a consistent long run international comparison of output (and in specific cases productivity). Currently the database contains data for major European and Asian economies and covers the 19th and 20th century. In addition, we included several Eastern European economies covering the period 1950-1990. The GDP data and their components are presented in local currencies, both in current and constant prices.

It is our aim to expand on this selection of countries as well as supplement the currently available data with new or revised figures with the help of our users. This datahub would greatly benefit from any suggestions for revisions or additions that are contributed – based on either already published country studies or as yet unpublished research - and we will provide regular updates accordingly. The datahub on Historical National Accounts is coordinated by Jan-Pieter Smits. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the new datahub please feel free to contact us at ggdc@rug.nl.

Jan-Pieter Smits and Herman de Jong

University of Groningen / Faculty of Economics and Business