U.S. Business Cycle (1947Q1-2004Q3)
Real World Data for Economics Principles
The term business cycle refers to alternating rises and declines in the level of economic activity. The business cycle is measured by the rises and falls of real GDP per quarter. |
There are 4
phases of the business cycle: peak, recession, trough and recovery. |
A recession is defined as a period of decline in total output (real GDP), 6 months or more/2 quarters or more. |
Source: |
Quarterly Real GDP Data (1947Q1 - 2004Q3), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/dn/gdplev.xls. |
 Data Showcase 1947Q1-1960Q4 (Animated Data Presentation) |
| Data Showcase 1961Q1-1970Q4 |
| Data Showcase 1971Q1-1980Q4 |
| Data Showcase 1981Q1-1990Q4 |
| Data Showcase 1991Q1-2004Q3 |