This paper examines whether the Solow growth model is consistent with international variation in standard of living. It shows that an augmented includes accumulation human as well physical capital provides excellent description cross-country data. The also implications for convergence standards living, is, poor countries tend to grow faster than rich countries. evidence indicates that, holding population and constant, converge at about rate predicts.

This paper develops a unified growth model that captures the historical evolution of population, technology, and output. It encompasses endogenous transition between three regimes have characterized economic development. The economy evolves from Malthusian regime, where technological progress is slow population prevents any sustained rise in income per capita, into Post-Malthusian rises absorbs only part output growth. Ultimately, demographic reverses positive relationship growth, enters...

We develop a statistical framework to use satellite data on night lights augment official income growth measures. For countries with poor national accounts, the optimal estimate of is composite roughly equal weights conventionally measured and predicted from lights. Our estimates differ by up three percentage points annually. Using lights, empirical analyses need no longer as unit analysis; we can measure for sub- supranational regions. show, example, that coastal areas in sub-Saharan Africa...

Saving and growth are strongly positively correlated across countries. Recent empirical evidence suggests that this correlation holds largely because high leads to saving, not the other way around. This is difficult reconcile with standard models, since forward-looking consumers utility should save less in a fast-growing economy they know will be richer future than today. We show if depends partly on how consumption compares “habit stock” determined by past consumption, an otherwise-standard...

This paper investigates the historical evolution of relationship among population growth technological change and standard living. The analysis focuses on two most important differences Malthusian Regime Post-Malthusian Modern Growth Regime. These were behavior income per capita between level rate. is characterized by steady in both technology. In regime progress was glacial modern standards fairly constant. contrast to positive. shared one characteristic with each regimes. addition this...

We construct a matrix showing the share of year 2000 population in every country that is descended from people different source countries 1500. Using to adjust indicators early development so they reflect history population's ancestors rather than place live today greatly improves ability those predict current GDP. The variance country's inhabitants good predictor for inequality, with ethnic groups originating regions having longer histories organized states tending be at upper end income...

We model growth and technology transfer in a world where technologies are specific to particular combinations of inputs. Unlike the usual specification, our does not imply that an improvement one technique for producing given good improves all other techniques good. Technology improvements diffuse slowly across countries, although knowledge spreads instantaneously there no adoption costs. However, even with “Ak” production, implies conditional convergence. This model, appropriate diffusion,...

The quantity of human-generated light visible from outer space reflects variation in both population density and income per capita. In this paper we explore the usefulness change as a measure GDP growth. We discuss data, then present statistical framework that uses lights growth to augment existing measures, assuming measurement errors two series are uncorrelated. For some countries with very poor measurement, significantly revise estimates Our technique also produces for cities or regions...

We explore the role of natural characteristics in determining worldwide spatial distribution economic activity, as proxied by lights at night, observed across 240,000 grid cells. A parsimonious set 24 physical geography attributes explains 47% variation and 35% within-country lights. divide geographic into two groups, those primarily important for agriculture trade, confront a puzzle. In examining lights, among countries that developed early, agricultural variables incrementally explain over...

For much of the twentieth century, large companies employing many workers formed bedrock U.S. economy. Today, on list big business's priorities, sustaining employer-worker relationship ranks far below building a devoted customer base and delivering value to investors. As David Weil's groundbreaking analysis shows, corporations have shed their role as direct employers people responsible for products, in favor outsourcing work small that compete fiercely with one another. The result has been...

We assess quantitatively the effect of exogenous reductions in fertility on output per capita. Our simulation model allows for effects that run through schooling, size and age structure population, capital accumulation, parental time input into childrearing, crowding fixed natural resources. The is parameterized using a combination microeconomic estimates standard components quantitative macroeconomic theory. apply to examine change from UN medium‐variant low‐variant projection Nigeria. For...