Worst recovery in postwar era largely explained by cuts in government spending
| Timescale | Average annual change in GDP, by expansion | Annual increase in government spending |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 Q4–1953 Q2 | 7.6% | 17.9% |
| 1954 Q2–1957 Q3 | 4.0% | 0.3% |
| 1958 Q2–1960 Q2 | 5.7% | 2.3% |
| 1961 Q1–1969 Q4 | 4.9% | 4.0% |
| 1970 Q4–1973 Q4 | 5.1% | -1.0% |
| 1975 Q1–1980 Q1 | 4.3% | 1.9% |
| 1980 Q3–1981 Q3 | 4.4% | 1.2% |
| 1982 Q4–1990 Q3 | 4.3% | 3.8% |
| 1991 Q1–2001 Q1 | 3.4% | 1.0% |
| 2001 Q4–2007 Q4 | 2.8% | 1.9% |
| 2009 Q2–2016 Q2 | 2.1% | -0.9% |
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data series.