Global Economic History

What factors explain the rise and fall of economies over time?

Our research programme in Global Economic History uses data across countries to study long run growth patterns. It also includes an Economic History Database which holds historical data sets and visualisations from Asia, Africa and Europe.

Project Contacts:

Stephen Broadberry

Professor of Economic History, Nuffield College, Oxford

James Fenske

Professor of Economics, University of Warwick

Project News

How England’s political revolution empowered African leaders in the slave trade

In the late 17th century, a political upheaval in England had unexpected consequences thousands of miles away on the West African coast.

Monday 20 Oct 2025

How language barriers still shape migration in India

Migration has large economic benefits for individuals and families moving internationally and between regions of the same country. But is it the same within ...

Wednesday 8 Oct 2025

The marine chronometer: A key to global transformation

Until the 18th century, navigation across the open seas was a perilous challenge. Sailors could travel long distances but faced an impossible task: determini...

Monday 22 Sep 2025