Economic decline (9)
(Other definitions for recession that I've seen before include "Period of temporary economic decline" , "when times are hard" , "Decline in economic activity and prosperity" , "Widespread decline in employment and trade" , "Slump" .)
(Other definitions for downturn that I've seen before include "Decline in business" , "Drop" , "Worsening of economic activity" , "Decline eg of economic activity" , "Deterioration" .)