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Irish Regional GDP since Independence

Kenny, Seán LU and de Bromhead, Alan (2025) In Economic History Review
Abstract
This paper constructs the first long-run estimates of Irish regional GDP over the twentieth century and traces the relative economic performance of Ireland’s regions since independence. Using an array of data sources available at a county level, output in Agriculture, Industry and Services in benchmark census years is estimated. Applying a variety of alternative measures, we find a reduction in regional inequality over the period that is similar to the broader European pattern. Regional convergence over the period 1926-1991 was driven by both within-sector convergence in productivity and structural change. Our paper helps to understand the regional dimensions to Irish economic development from the birth of a newly independent state up to... (More)
This paper constructs the first long-run estimates of Irish regional GDP over the twentieth century and traces the relative economic performance of Ireland’s regions since independence. Using an array of data sources available at a county level, output in Agriculture, Industry and Services in benchmark census years is estimated. Applying a variety of alternative measures, we find a reduction in regional inequality over the period that is similar to the broader European pattern. Regional convergence over the period 1926-1991 was driven by both within-sector convergence in productivity and structural change. Our paper helps to understand the regional dimensions to Irish economic development from the birth of a newly independent state up to the eve of Ireland's growth 'miracle' in the 1990s, when the first official efforts were initiated to construct these figures. Finally, we connect our regional estimates to the first official figures to study the evolution of Irish regional development up to 2021. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
Regional GDP; Ireland, Economic History; Inequality; Economic Growth.
in
Economic History Review
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN
1468-0289
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
be75e6a6-bdb7-4904-9993-a56e5215885c
date added to LUP
2025-08-14 08:32:26
date last changed
2025-08-14 12:39:03
@article{be75e6a6-bdb7-4904-9993-a56e5215885c,
  abstract     = {{This paper constructs the first long-run estimates of Irish regional GDP over the twentieth century and traces the relative economic performance of Ireland’s regions since independence. Using an array of data sources available at a county level, output in Agriculture, Industry and Services in benchmark census years is estimated. Applying a variety of alternative measures, we find a reduction in regional inequality over the period that is similar to the broader European pattern.  Regional convergence over the period 1926-1991 was driven by both within-sector convergence in productivity and structural change. Our paper helps to understand the regional dimensions to Irish economic development from the birth of a newly independent state up to the eve of Ireland's growth 'miracle' in the 1990s, when the first official efforts were initiated to construct these figures. Finally, we connect our regional estimates to the first official figures to study the evolution of Irish regional development up to 2021.}},
  author       = {{Kenny, Seán and de Bromhead, Alan}},
  issn         = {{1468-0289}},
  keywords     = {{Regional GDP; Ireland, Economic History; Inequality; Economic Growth.}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Economic History Review}},
  title        = {{Irish Regional GDP since Independence}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}