How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming cover art

How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming

How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

Lately we've noticed that something we think about all the time here at Planet Money is having a viral moment: recession indicators!

From the more practical (like sales for lipstick going up and men's underwear going down) to the absurd and nonsensical (like babysitter buns coming back into style?) — people are posting to social media every little sign they see that a recession is coming. And we LOVE it. Because between the trade war and the tariffs and the stock market, there has been a lot of economic uncertainty over the last few months and we want to talk about it, too.

Today on the show — we dig into the slightly wonkier indicators that economists look at when they're trying to answer the question behind the viral internet trend: Is a recession coming?

This episode of Planet Money was produced by James Sneed. It was edited by Marianne McCune, fact-checked by Sarah McClure, and engineered by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

Find more
Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.

Help support
Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Music: Source Audio - "The Shirt Still Fits," "Chameleon Panther Style," and "Nighthawk."


Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

What listeners say about How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.