A recession is a period of temporary economic decline, typically involving reduced GDP, industrial output, employment, and income.

Major Causes

  • High inflation, rising interest rates, supply-and-demand imbalances, or external shocks such as pandemics or conflicts.

Types

  • Technical Recession: Two quarters of GDP contraction.
  • Balance Sheet Recession: Firms focus on debt repayment over investment.
  • Double-Dip Recession: A relapse after partial recovery.

Impacts

  • Unemployment reduces consumer spending and strains government revenues, often hitting low-skilled workers hardest. Businesses may close, amplifying fiscal deficits.

 

Source: The Hindu