Recent concern with economic growth has led not only to a vast increase in the quantity and quality of statistics collected and published, but also to an upsurge of interest in the statistics of the past. As attention has turned more and more to the study of the comparative development of different countries, so a need has been felt for a collection of historical statistics comparing different nations. Each of the 10 sections has a short introductory commentary, and extensive notes and footnotes. This unique compilation now in its second edition and revised and updated, brings together in a single volume major statistical series which document the growth and development of these vast areas.