An Input-Output Table for Germany and a New Benchmark for German Gross National Product in 1936

This paper is based on the archival sources of the German industrial census of 1936. Originally, this census and its forerunner of 1933 had actually been designed by the German Imperial Statistical Office (StRA) to compile an input-output-table for Germany as a basis for managing the business cycle. In connection with rearmament, however, this endeavour was given up and instead, these data were used for constructing detailed material balance sheets, which served as a statistical basis for preparing the war. Based on these hitherto secret records and additional statistical information we have been busy to fulfil the original plan of the StRA of constructing the desired input-output table. Here we present an interim result covering the entire manufacturing sector in detail, agriculture and aggregate figures. The new benchmark for gross national product (GNP) with its components for the production and expenditure side deviates significantly from Hoffmann´s et al. well-known figures.

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