Kondratyev cycle

economics

Also known as: Kondratieff cycle, Kondratieff wave, Kondratiev cycle(Show More)

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June 30, 2026

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The Kondratyev cycle, also known as Kondratieff waves, refers to long-term economic cycles of approximately 50 years, characterized by periods of slow expansion and contraction. Russian economist Nikolay D. Kondratyev identified three such cycles in Western countries between 1790 and 1940. These long waves are distinct from shorter business cycles like the Juglar cycle (8-11 years) and are thought to be influenced by technological innovations and other factors that drive economic growth over extended periods.12

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Nikolay D. Kondratyev
…major (50-year) business cycles—the so-called Kondratieff waves.
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…major (50-year) business cycles—the so-called Kondratieff waves.
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social change
Cyclic change
…show the recurrence of long waves of economic boom and recession on an international scale. He charted the waves from the end of the 18th century, with each complete wave comprising a period of about 50 years. Subsequent research has shown, however, that the patterns in different countries have been…
Read More
…show the recurrence of long waves of economic boom and recession on an international scale. He charted the waves from the end of the 18th century, with each complete wave comprising a period of about 50 years. Subsequent research has shown, however, that the patterns in different countries have been…
Read More

business cycle
Kondratieff waves
Cycles of greater duration than the Juglar cycle have also been studied. For example, the construction industry was found to have cycles of 17 to 18 years in the United States and 20 to 22 years in England. Measuring longer-term business cycles involves…
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Cycles of greater duration than the Juglar cycle have also been studied. For example, the construction industry was found to have cycles of 17 to 18 years in the United States and 20 to 22 years in England. Measuring longer-term business cycles involves…
Read More