Is a country in economic downturn if its growth rate is negative, but improving?

Answer 1

There are 4 stages in an economic cycle: expansion; peak; contraction; trough. If the growth rate is negative, you are still in a contraction (or a recession). Once the growth rate hits zero you’ve hit a trough, and as it turns positive you are in a recovery/expansion. A negative growth rate means the economy is still contracting, albeit slower since things are improving.