Comparison of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Brazil and the United States during selected periods in Brazil's development from 1500 to 1998
Years, and period of Brazilian development
Brazil
United States
1500-1820: Colony
0.62%
0.86%
1820-1890: Empire
1.95%
4.14%
1890-1929: Oligarchic Republic
3.13%
3.57%
1929-1980: Developmentalist Era
5.72%
3.21%
1980-1998: Era of "adjustment"
2.09%
3.15%
1500-1998: Total
1.57%
1.85%
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From 1500 until 1998, Brazil's average annual GDP growth rate was just under 1.6 percent, whereas the figure was almost 1.9 percent for the U.S.. While these figures may seem fairly similar, an annual difference of 0.3 percent growth over 498 years accumulates to give a significant margin between the two regions, and faster growth in early years also widens the gap further. When GDP is adjusted to 1990 international dollars, the U.S.' GDP is estimated to be double that of Brazil in 1500, but grew to be eight times larger by 1998. Similarly to population, the U.S. experienced its fastest annual GDP growth in the mid-19th century, while Brazil saw its fastest growth in the mid-20th century.
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OECD. (December 31, 2006). Comparison of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Brazil and the United States during selected periods in Brazil's development from 1500 to 1998 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from /statistics/1283592/brazil-us-gdp-growth-comparison-historical/
OECD. "Comparison of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Brazil and the United States during selected periods in Brazil's development from 1500 to 1998." Chart. December 31, 2006. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 21, 2026. /statistics/1283592/brazil-us-gdp-growth-comparison-historical/
OECD. (2006). Comparison of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Brazil and the United States during selected periods in Brazil's development from 1500 to 1998. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 21, 2026. /statistics/1283592/brazil-us-gdp-growth-comparison-historical/
OECD. "Comparison of Gross Domestic Product (Gdp) Growth Rates in Brazil and The United States during Selected Periods in Brazil's Development from 1500 to 1998." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 31 Dec 2006, /statistics/1283592/brazil-us-gdp-growth-comparison-historical/
OECD, Comparison of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Brazil and the United States during selected periods in Brazil's development from 1500 to 1998 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/1283592/brazil-us-gdp-growth-comparison-historical/ (last visited July 21, 2026)
Comparison of gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Brazil and the United States during selected periods in Brazil's development from 1500 to 1998 [Graph], OECD, December 31, 2006. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1283592/brazil-us-gdp-growth-comparison-historical/