Konjunkturverläufen

Konjunkturverläufen, also known as business cycle patterns, describe the typical fluctuations of economic activity over time. These cycles are not perfectly regular but exhibit a recognizable sequence of phases. The most common phases are expansion, peak, recession, and trough. An expansion is characterized by increasing economic output, rising employment, and growing consumer spending. This phase continues until the economy reaches its peak, where growth slows down. Following the peak, a recession begins, marked by a significant decline in economic activity, including falling production, rising unemployment, and reduced investment. This downturn continues until the economy hits a trough, the lowest point of the cycle, after which a new expansion phase typically starts. Factors influencing these cycles include changes in aggregate demand, technological advancements, government policies, and global economic conditions. Understanding konjunkturverläufen is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to anticipate economic changes and make informed decisions. Economists use various indicators, such as GDP growth, inflation rates, and unemployment figures, to identify the current phase of the business cycle.