Abstract
The European Comparison Programme (ECP) aimed at an international comparison of real per capita product through the use of purchasing power parities. The ECP was implemented as part of Phase IV of the International Comparison Project, launched by the United Nations Statistical Commission. The benchmark compilation of the ECP was carried out for the year 1980. A short-cut method permitted extrapolation of the results to 1982.
Seventeen European countries participated in the comparison, twelve in Group I and five in Group II. Group I was guided by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. Austria acted as base country in the Group II comparisons, which were accompanied by the secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. For the purpose of linking the comparisons undertaken in each of the two groups, Austria also participated in Group I.
The comprehensive report on the results of the comparisons will be published elsewhere by the Conference of European Statisticians. The summary of the most important data relates to real per capita GDP, its components and purchasing power parities. The data allow for assessing relative levels of economic performance and development in the participating countries.
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