The Growing Disparity between the United Kingdom and the Six: 1950–1961

Abstract

International comparisons of rates of growth are notoriously risky and require very cautious handling, for growth is not an unambiguous concept, and its measurement involves intricate problems. Moreover, even if we agree on problems of definition and measurement, we still have to avoid the innumerable pitfalls of international comparisons proper. To quote only one instance, indices of industrial production are weighted at different base years; and in a period of substantial changes in the relative importance of individual industries this may introduce a systematic bias and lead to unwarranted conclusions.