Two successive years of quarterly increases in GDP would be referred to as?

When analyzing the economic term that describes two successive years of quarterly increases in GDP, the correct choice is expansion. This phenomenon indicates a period where the economy is growing, characterized by increasing GDP over consecutive quarters. It reflects a healthy economic environment where production, employment, and consumer spending are typically on the rise.

In the context of economics, growth over two years shows sustained positive performance, distinguishing it clearly from terms such as recession, which signifies a decline in economic activity, and contraction, which is synonymous with reduced economic output. Recovery, while related to improving economic conditions, specifically refers to the phase following a recession where the economy begins to bounce back but may not yet be characterized by consistent growth. Therefore, the continuous rise in GDP is best described as an expansion phase in the economic cycle.