Long run time series tests of constant steady-state growth

•We propose a new methodology to study the stability of output growth.•We formally test three output growth hypotheses using time series techniques.•The hypotheses are: linear trend, level shift and growth shift.•The results show that the growth shift hypothesis is supported for most countries.•The results are not driven by transition dynamics.

We propose a new methodology to study the stability of steady-state growth. Long-run GDP per capita can be characterized by: (1) the linear trend hypothesis, where there are no long-run changes in GDP levels or growth rates, (2) the level shift hypothesis, where there are long-run level shifts, but not changes in growth rates, and (3) the growth shift hypothesis, where there are long-run changes in both GDP levels and growth rates. We formally test these hypotheses using time series techniques with over 139 years of data. The results are not favorable to the hypothesis of constant steady-state growth. While we find evidence supporting the linear trend hypothesis for the United States and Canada and the level shift hypothesis for three additional OECD countries, the growth shift hypothesis is supported for seven OECD and four Asian countries. The results are not driven by transition dynamics.