A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months. It is visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. The United States defines a recession as "a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months."
The most popular definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of declining GDP.
A recession begins just after the economy peaks and ends as it reaches its trough. Between the peak and the trough, there is a decline in real GDP.
Recessions are generally accompanied by a drop in the stock market and increased unemployment. There are several causes of recessions, but most can be summed up by saying that a lack of demand causes them. When there is less demand for goods and services, businesses cut back on production and lay off workers.
There have been 33 recessions in the United States since 1854. The most recent started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. This was the longest recession since World War II.
The Great Depression of the 1930s was the worst economic downturn in US history. Real GDP fell by 26%, and unemployment rose to 25%.
Who determines if the US economy is in a recession?
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is a private, nonprofit research organization that is considered the official arbiter of US recessions. However, the NBER does not announce when a recession starts or ends in real-time; instead, they declare retrospectively.
How long do recessions last?
Recessions can last anywhere from eight months to two years. However, the average recession since World War II has lasted about 11 months.
How does an economy come out of recession?
The economy typically comes out of recession when GDP grows again, and unemployment starts to fall. This can happen when businesses begin to invest and hire again, and consumers start spending more money.
The Federal Reserve can also help by lowering interest rates and increasing the money supply. This makes it easier for businesses to get loans and invest and for consumers to borrow money and spend.