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Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

The Worldwide Standard of Living since 1800

  • Richard A. Easterlin
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 14, no. 1, Winter 2000
(pp. 7–26)
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Abstract

By many measures a revolution in living conditions is sweeping the world. Most people today are better fed, clothed, and house than their predecessors two centuries ago. They are healthier, live longer, and are better educated. Women's lives are less centered on reproduction, and political democracy has gained a foothold. Current international differences in a number of standard of living indicators are significantly correlated. Historically, however, these improvements often started at quite different times, suggesting that the determinants of change in different aspects of the standard of living are varied.

Citation

Easterlin, Richard, A. 2000. "The Worldwide Standard of Living since 1800." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 14 (1): 7–26. DOI: 10.1257/jep.14.1.7

JEL Classification

  • I31 General Welfare
  • N30 Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Religion: General, International, or Comparative
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