Data card
Western/Atlantic Civilization Population Data 1800-1945 CE
Population estimates for Western/Atlantic civilization during modern period (1800-1945 CE), showing demographic transition, population growth, and World Wars impact.
Western / AtlanticData Summary
- Population (1800 CE): ~152.4 million
- Population (1945 CE): ~324.7 million
- Growth Rate: ~0.7% annual growth (1800-1945 CE)
- Trend: Increasing (demographic transition, population growth)
- Confidence: Strong (detailed estimates from Maddison Project and census data)
- Source: Maddison Project Database 2020, UN Population Division, historical records, census data
- Period: 1800-1945 CE (Demographic transition, population growth, World Wars)
Polity Context
- Primary Polities:
- United States of America (1776-present CE) - Major contributor, population growth
- united kingdom (1707-present CE) - Population growth
- france (1792-present CE) - Population growth
- germany (1871-present CE) - Population growth
- Note: This data represents civilization-level aggregates across multiple polities
Time Series Data
| Year | Population (millions) | Growth Rate (%) | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 152.4 | - | Maddison 2020 | Industrial revolution begins |
| 1820 | 167.8 | 0.5 | Maddison 2020 | Population growth |
| 1850 | 207.6 | 0.7 | Maddison 2020 | Demographic transition |
| 1870 | 250.3 | 0.9 | Maddison 2020 | Population growth accelerates |
| 1900 | 295.4 | 0.8 | Maddison 2020 | Pre-World War I |
| 1913 | 312.5 | 0.9 | Maddison 2020 | Pre-World War I peak |
| 1920 | 318.7 | 0.3 | Maddison 2020 | Post-World War I |
| 1930 | 332.1 | 0.4 | Maddison 2020 | Interwar period |
| 1940 | 340.2 | 0.2 | Maddison 2020 | Pre-World War II |
| 1945 | 324.7 | -0.9 | Maddison 2020 | Post-World War II (war losses) |
Key Events
- 1800s CE: Industrial Revolution expansion → industrial revolution expansion 1800s - Demographic transition begins
- 1914-1918 CE: World War I → World War I (1914-1918 CE) - Population losses, demographic impact
- 1930s CE: Great Depression → great depression 1930s - Demographic impact
- 1939-1945 CE: World War II → World War II (1939-1945 CE) - Population losses, demographic impact
Comparative Context
- Regional average (Western Europe + North America, 1800 CE): ~152 million
- Global average (1800 CE): ~957 million
- Ranking: 3rd-4th largest population globally (1800-1945 CE)
- % of world population (1800 CE): ~16%
- % of world population (1945 CE): ~13% (declining share)
- Comparison to Sinitic (1800 CE): ~0.4x (Sinitic ~$381 million)
- Comparison to Sinitic (1945 CE): ~0.7x (Sinitic ~$463 million)
Pattern Relevance
- Demographic Transition: Transition from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates
- GGS Analysis:
- Germs: Medical advances, disease control, demographic transition
- Style: Administrative capacity for population management
- War Impact: World Wars cause population losses
- Migration: Emigration and immigration patterns affect population
Links
- Western / Atlantic Civilization - Civilization claim
- demographic transition - Demographic transition pattern
- industrial revolution expansion 1800s - Industrial expansion
- World War I (1914-1918 CE) - World War I
- World War II (1939-1945 CE) - World War II
Total Population (millions, 1800-1945)
Data table (10 points)
| Year | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 152.4 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1820 | 167.8 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1850 | 207.6 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1870 | 250.3 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1900 | 295.4 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1913 | 312.5 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1920 | 318.7 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1930 | 332.1 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1940 | 340.2 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1945 | 324.7 | Maddison 2020 |
Population Growth Rate (percent, 1800-1945)
Data table (10 points)
| Year | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | None | Maddison 2020 |
| 1820 | 0.5 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1850 | 0.7 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1870 | 0.9 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1900 | 0.8 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1913 | 0.9 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1920 | 0.3 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1930 | 0.4 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1940 | 0.2 | Maddison 2020 |
| 1945 | None | Maddison 2020 |
About this entry
A draft entry preserved from civilization.study. Evidence grade: strong. 2 of 2 listed sources are fully documented; the rest are names only. Method and sources
Methodology Notes
- Estimation method:
- Maddison Project provides estimates based on historical records and census data
- UN Population Division provides estimates for later periods
- Cross-validation using birth rates, death rates, and migration data
- Data quality: Strong (detailed historical records and census data available)
- Uncertainty range: ±3-5% (good data quality for modern period)
- Limitations:
- Regional variation within Western/Atlantic civilization not fully captured
- Migration patterns (emigration, immigration) affect population
- War losses and demographic transitions
- Cross-validation:
- Birth rates and death rates
- Migration data (emigration, immigration)
- Census data (where available)
- Demographic transition indicators