Is a country in economic downturn if its growth rate is negative, but improving?
I'm no macroeconomist, so other will correct me if I am wrong, but I would use the following definition:



More formally, if $Y(t)$ is GDP at time $t$, one could express this as

Recession: $Y'(t)&lt;0$ for 6+ months

downturn: $Y''(t)&lt;0$

recovery: $Y''(t)&gt;0$.

The definition of recession (2 quarters of negative growth) is widely standardised. I think the definition of downturn and recovery is less standard, and therefore more subject to debate.