Output, national income, and expenditure: an input–output table of Germany in 1936

Abstract

We here present the earliest input–output table of Germany: It covers forty economic branches, five final demand categories, and five primary inputs. The symmetric table for 1936 is completely based on original statistical data and does not rely on separate supply and use tables. The core of our endeavor is based on the German industrial census of 1936. The input–output table offers a new benchmark for gross domestic product (GDP) and thus production, income, and expenditure of Germany in 1936. We found a comparably high level of GDP and a significantly higher mixed income/operating surplus, which hints at exceptionally high incomes and hidden profits of armament industry. We illustrate the use of the new input–output table for German historical national accounts and apply our findings to reassess the impact of military spending on employment and production.