The Top 10 Worst Recessions Of The Last 80 Years

Below are listed the Top 10 Worst Recessions of the last 80 years ranked by official duration...

   1929-1933,    43 months in duration (Great Depression).
   2007-2008,    24 months in duration?*
   1981-1982,    16 months in duration.
   1973-1975,    16 months in duration.
   1937-1938,    13 months in duration.
   1926-1927,    13 months in duration.
   1970,            11 months in duration.
   1948-1949,    11 months in duration.
   1960-1961,    10 months in duration.
   1953-1954,    10 months in duration.

* - Current Recession officially began December 2007 and based on current market data has not yet officially concluded.

The following chart from Fidelity gives a very clear breakdown of all 15 recessions, their duration, and severity as far as stock market damage during and after the recession ended. 

If the current recession officially surpasses the 2nd quarter of 2009, the United States will be able to declare the 2007 - 2009 Great Recession as the worst since the Great Depression.