Unified growth theory

Unified growth theory was developed in light of the alleged failure of endogenous growth theory to capture key empirical regularities in the growth processes and their contribution to the momentous rise in inequality across nations in the past two centuries.

Unified growth theory suggests that during most of human existence, technological progress was offset by population growth, and living standards were near subsistence across time and space.

The testable predictions of the theory and its underlying mechanisms have been confirmed in empirical and quantitative research in the past decade, and have inspired intensive exploration of the impact of historical and pre-historical forces on comparative economic development and the disparity in the wealth of nations. (d) the theory as a whole was explored quantitatively. Traits that were complementary to the technological environment generated higher level of income, and therefore higher reproductive success. Testable predictions of this evolutionary theory and its underlying mechanisms have been confirmed empirically and quantitatively.