A contraction is the phase of the business cycle when the economy declines, often with falling real GDP and rising unemployment, moving from peak toward trough (expansion, peak, contraction, trough).

When Ireland's GDP figures for 2025 came in, a startling 12.3% in real terms, many spoke of a fresh economic miracle. The number, taken at face value, looks extraordinary: no advanced economy grows in ...

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Monday awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences to Northwestern University professor and Reason contributor Joel Mokyr "for having identified the ...

Inflation has slowed significantly and growth of the nation's gross domestic product has remained solid, but some economists still expect a mild recession this year. Overall prices increased 3.5% in ...

If news about inflation, trade, the Federal Reserve and jobs has you confused and you’re not sure what to make of the US economy, don’t worry: You’re in good company. But this week offered a ton of ...

An economic downturn or recession begins when the economy experiences a significant decline in typical activity, such as employment, production, income and a few other signs, according to the National ...

Discover how deflation affects economies and whether it’s beneficial or harmful. Explore the causes, impacts, and what deflation signifies for market trends.

The path to a “soft landing” doesn’t seem as smooth as it did four months ago. But the expectations of a year ago have been surpassed. By Ben Casselman The economic news of the past two weeks has been ...

Many Americans are gloomy about the economy, despite some data saying it is improving. The Economist even took this discussion to TikTok. When its US editor John Prideaux examined inflation, wage and ...