The next U.S. recession is imminent and likely to cause even more damage than the last downturn in 2007. Between December 2007 and June 2009, the United States experienced a sharp decline in economic activity, which has since become known as the Great Recession. It decimated the economy and resulted in millions of job losses and financial ruin for many.

The yield curve inversion of March 2019 combined with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept the globe in early 2020, are the main warning signs for this next recession. Key indicators are already pointing towards it: Over 20 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in April 2020 alone, for example – such a spike hasn‘t been seen since the 1930s Great Depression.​

This Statista DossierPlus provides a comparison of the events which led to the Great Recession and the present economic conditions. Additionally, it provides insights into public sentiment regarding the next recession as well as an outlook for the future.