Unified Growth Theory Contradicted by the Absence of Takeoffs in the Gross Domestic Product

Abstract

Abstract. Data describing historical economic growth are analysed. They demonstrate convincingly that the take offs from stagnation to growth, claimed in the Unified Growth Theory, never happened. This theory is again contradicted by the same data which were used, but never properly analysed, during its formulation. The absence of the claimed takeoffs demonstrates that the postulate of the differential takeoffs is also contradicted by data. Furthermore, this analysis demonstrates that the mathematically-analysable data contradict the concept of the prolonged Malthusian stagnation, its effects on the economic growth as well as the concept of a dramatic escape from the Malthusian trap. Keywords. Historical economic growth, regimes of growth, Malthusian stagnation, takeoffs, Malthusian trap, hyperbolic growth. JEL. A10, B10, B22, F01, N10.