The World Economy is a significant intellectual venture that compiles key works by renowned economist Angus Maddison, specifically "The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective" (2001) and "The World Economy: Historical Statistics" (2003). This updated edition features Statlinks, allowing readers direct access to comprehensive underlying data in Excel format. The collection presents extensive estimates of global GDP spanning two millennia, offering a unique lens into the historical dynamics of economic growth and decline across various regions.

Published under the OECD Development Centre Studies, these volumes address critical development issues while contextualizing them within a historical framework. Their extensive data is invaluable for researchers, policymakers, and students alike, serving as a vital resource for understanding historical economic trends and informing future economic policies. With availability in multiple languages including Spanish, German, and French, The World Economy stands as an essential reference for anyone interested in the complexities of global economic development over time.