Regional variation in the GDP per capita of colonial Indonesia, 1870–1930

Abstract Since colonial times, substantial regional income disparities have been reported for Indonesia. However, in spite of a wide variety available data and indicators, so far published on Indonesian per capita GDP times are limited to macro-estimates the entire archipelago or confined either Java Outer Islands. In this paper we provide first attempt arrive at estimates diverging living standards level. We implement Geary Stark method large body collected by government, estimate ten macro-regions five benchmark years between 1870 1930. Our findings, corrected prices, confirm image arising from existing literature major divergences within general, higher most Islands (all islands except Madura) compared with particular. This was definitely case still 1920, but picture is less clear 1930, which final year before Indonesia’s commodity exports started collapse.