Which statement best characterizes a depression?

A depression is characterized as a prolonged period of significant economic decline. This description captures the essence of a depression, which involves a severe and lasting downturn in economic activity that affects multiple sectors and results in widespread unemployment, decreased consumer spending, and reduced business investment.

Unlike a recession, which is typically defined as a temporary period of economic decline, a depression has more severe implications and can last for several years. This distinction is important because while recessions may cause short-term disruptions, a depression represents a fundamental erosion of economic strength, leading to long-lasting challenges for households, businesses, and governments.

The other choices describe conditions that are either less severe or more short-lived. For instance, a mild slowdown in activity or a short period of negative GDP growth would not adequately encompass the depth and duration characteristic of a depression. Similarly, a temporary increase in unemployment does not reflect the broader economic implications and prolonged effects associated with a depression. Thus, the characterization of a depression as a prolonged period of significant decline stands as the most accurate definition.