1. Macroeconomic Performance:
Putting the 2007 Recession in Historical Perspective
Professor Norman Cloutier
Director, Center for Economic Education
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Roundtable Discussion on the Financial Crisis, Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, Madison, March 16, 2009

2. Real GDP Quarterly Growth Rates: 1970—2008
Recessions:
November 1973 – March 1975
July 1981 – November 1982
July 1990 – March 1991
March 2001 – November 2001
December 2007

3. Inflation: 1970—2009

4. Unemployment: 1970—2009

5. Cumulative Employment Decline as Percentage of Employment Peak: Last Four Recessions
As of February 2009 there are 12.5 million workers unemployed.

6. Initial Unemployment Claims 2000—present
Source: US Dept of Labor,