Final answer:
The economy is considered to be in recession when there are two consecutive quarters of decline in gross domestic product (GDP).
Step-by-step explanation:
In order for the economy to be considered in recession, there must be two quarters of successive decline in gross domestic product (GDP). A recession is defined as a significant decline in real GDP, where the economy experiences negative growth for two consecutive quarters. This is a commonly used measurement to determine if the economy is in a recession.