Change in GDP per capita in regions of Europe as a share of 1900's rate 1870-1950

When compared with respective GDP per capita in 1900, Western Europe saw the most significant change between 1870 and 1950, increasing steadily from 68 percent to 166 percent throughout this period. It is important to note that Western Europe's GDP per capita in 1900 was roughly double that of the other two regions, at 3,092 FY1990 U.S. dollars, compared with 1,572 FY1990 U.S. dollars in Southern Europe and 1,373 FY1990 U.S. dollars in Central and Eastern Europe.

In terms of GDP per capita growth, Southern Europe's rate gradually increased to 137 percent by 1929, before the Great Depression and Second World War saw it fall to 129 percent in 1950. In comparison, the political and economic instability of the interwar period saw GDP per capita fall to a similar level to its 1900 figure in Central and Eastern Europe by 1929, before it increased again over the subsequent two decades.