The Great Divergence (1700–1900)

Definition and Origin

Executive Summary

GDP per capita: Industrialization propelled sustained Western income growth; China and India stagnated (1700–1900)

Income and population: Western productivity outpaced population (escaped Malthus); Asia’s population growth diluted incomes

Total GDP: Asia’s scale led early; by 1900 the UK surpassed India and neared China, shifting aggregate economic weight

Conclusion