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

Abstract

Data describing historical economic growth are analysed. They demonstrate convincingly that the takeoffs from stagnation to growth, claimed in the Unified Growth Theory, never happened. This theory is again contradicted by data, which were used, but never properly analysed, during its formulation. The absence of the claimed takeoffs demonstrates also that the postulate of the differential takeoffs is contradicted by data.