The Standard of Living of the Inhabitants of Royal Towns in Moravia during the Price Revolution (1540-1620)

Abstract

The study deals with the measurement of the standard of living of the inhabitants of royal towns in Moravia in 1540-1620. The real wages calculation (welfare ratio) is based on the consumer price index and nominal wages.

The resulting data give evidence on the small divergence in Central Europe (Brno, Olomouc, Znojmo, Vienna, Cracow) in comparison with the great divergence of northwestern Europe (Amsterdam, London).

Keywords

• the standard of living
• welfare ratio
• prices and wages
• small divergence
• Moravia
• 1540-1620