Real GDP growth surprisingly high just before past recessions started

Each of the dates below 

shows the real GDP 

annual growth rate 

of the economy 

immediately prior to 

the start of a recession 

( this is historically revised data,

not what was released at the time ).

Real (inflation-adjusted) 

economic growth rates:

• September 1957:     3.07%

• May 1960:                 2.06%

• January 1970:          0.32%

• December 1973:      4.02%

• January 1980:         1.42%

• July 1981:                4.33%

• July 1990:               1.73%

• March 2001:            2.31%

• December 2007:     1.97%