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Technology and Human Capital in Historical Perspective pp 120–144Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Economic Growth, Technology Transfer and Convergence in Spain, 1960–73

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Abstract

Spain experienced an exceptional rate of economic growth between 1960 and 1973. This period, known as the ‘Spanish miracle’, was a major step towards closing the technology gap between Spain and other advanced countries.2 The acceleration of growth in the majority of Western countries had begun a decade earlier, in 1950.3 Spain, by contrast, did not develop significantly in the 1950s. Before 1960 the rate of growth of the Spanish economy fell short of the potential implied by the country’s backwardness.4 The post-1959 years saw a shift, resulting in a period of accelerated growth and significant ‘catching-up’. Between 1959 and 1973 Spain had the highest rate of economic growth in Europe; among the member states of the OECD, only Japan enjoyed faster and more sustained growth (see Table 6.1).

We are grateful to J. Rosés, N. von Tunzelman, J. Ljungberg, B. van Ark, J. Reis, F. Comin, J. Simpson, L. Prados de la Escosura, G. Federico and participants at the Klinta workshop, as well as an anonymous referee.

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Authors
  1. Mar Cebrián
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  2. Santiago López
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lund University, Sweden

    Jonas Ljungberg

  2. University of Groningen, The Netherlands

    Jan-Pieter Smits

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© 2005 Mar Cebrián and Santiago López

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Cebrián, M., López, S. (2005). Economic Growth, Technology Transfer and Convergence in Spain, 1960–73. In: Ljungberg, J., Smits, JP. (eds) Technology and Human Capital in Historical Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230523814_6

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