<p>Generally, a recession is not defined in this way in any case. If it were, it would be negative growth, and not a decline in productivity.</p>
<p>In the US, the <a href="https://www.nber.org/research/data/us-business-cycle-expansions-and-contractions" rel="nofollow noreferrer">NBER US Business Cycle Expansion and Contractions data</a> defines a recession. The <a href="https://www.nber.org/news/business-cycle-dating-committee-announcement-july-19-2021" rel="nofollow noreferrer">committee has determined</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;that a trough in monthly economic activity occurred in the US economy
in April 2020. The previous peak in economic activity occurred in
February 2020. The recession lasted two months, which makes it the
shortest US recession on record.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Following this definition, the recession was declared over before the second quarter even occurred.There has also been a period where 2 consecutive quarters of decline were not defined as a recession. Most probably, the first two quarters this year (2022) will also not be declared a recession.</p>
<p>See this <a href="https://economics.stackexchange.com/a/52205/37817">question</a> for details.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-29T22:08:27.937Z
2022-10-29T22:08:27.937Z
AKdemy
<p>Negative growth.  Though I suspect this question will be quickly closed :)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-16T04:59:11.147Z
2019-08-16T04:59:11.147Z
Bill Clark
<p>I'm confused with the definition of recession. Is it two quarters of negative GDP growth , meaning GDP growing at -1% and -2% or GDP slowing to 2% and 1.5%.</p>

<gdp>
What is recession? Two quarters of -ve GDP or two quarters of slowing GDP?
nsivakr
# What is recession? Two quarters of -ve GDP or two quarters of slowing GDP?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-08-16)

I'm confused with the definition of recession. Is it two quarters of negative GDP growth , meaning GDP growing at -1% and -2% or GDP slowing to 2% and 1.5%.

**Tags:** gdp

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-10-29. Score: 2

Generally, a recession is not defined in this way in any case. If it were, it would be negative growth, and not a decline in productivity.

In the US, the [NBER US Business Cycle Expansion and Contractions data](https://www.nber.org/research/data/us-business-cycle-expansions-and-contractions) defines a recession. The [committee has determined](https://www.nber.org/news/business-cycle-dating-committee-announcement-july-19-2021)

> "that a trough in monthly economic activity occurred in the US economy
> in April 2020. The previous peak in economic activity occurred in
> February 2020. The recession lasted two months, which makes it the
> shortest US recession on record."

Following this definition, the recession was declared over before the second quarter even occurred.There has also been a period where 2 consecutive quarters of decline were not defined as a recession. Most probably, the first two quarters this year (2022) will also not be declared a recession.

See this [question](https://economics.stackexchange.com/a/52205/37817) for details.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2019-08-16. Score: 0

Negative growth. Though I suspect this question will be quickly closed :)


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