Using FRED data, compare the recessions of 2000, 2008 and 2020

1. 1. Given the data on quarterly real GDP growth from 1999 through 2001, from 2007 through 2009, and 2019 to 2021, list the recessions in order of the larger negative values.

2. 2. Compare the unemployment rate in each of these recessions, and list the recessions in order of the highest unemployment rate.

3. 3. According to the NBER, www.nber.org, the 2000 recession started in March 2001 and ended in November 2001; the 2008 recession started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. Given the answers you gave to parts a and b, do you think the labor market recovered as quickly as GDP? What does that tell you about the 2020 recession?

4. 4. What pattern do you see in the inflation rate in 2000, and 2008 recessions? Compare the patterns of these recessions to the pattern of inflation in the 2020 recession.

5. 5. Given what you read on the NBER website, what is your guess as to the date the NBER will consider the 2020 recession to have started? Do you think the 2020 recession is close to the end?