strange indicators to know economy is bad

[Xampeuu]

I think that a bad economy is not only measured in the rise of the price of the goods, but there might also be other indicators to know it. On many well-developed countries, the price of their items are also high but their economy was still in a healthy condition. I know it's crazy but I think an increase in the price of the goods might also be beneficial to those people behind them or to the ones who create/produced them and to the economy in general, so we should also think about this before we complain.

In terms of salary, I think this doesn't has to do with the economy most of the times, but it only has to do with the company that you are working with. You better switch jobs and find a better paying one.

In my opinion, salaries should be measured by the minimum wage standard in an area, if our salary is several times the minimum wage, then I think we can live decently, but most people have a high lifestyle, so any salary seems not enough to cover it. . therefore everyone's standard of living is different, it would be a shame if we lived only according to prestige, because most of what happens is like this

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[DVlog]

must issue economic policies that can help society so that people's purchasing power can increase, either by providing subsidies to keep goods prices cheap or providing cash assistance to people affected by the bad economy.

I think that is a tricky decision. If they can't control how much money is in the market, it can go south quickly and will just increase inflation like what happened in Argentina iirc. At some point, people need to become creative on their own so they don't rely on the government to survive for a while. I guess this is where natural selection comes into play.

Weirdly enough, I stopped taking regular haircuts a few years ago. My reason is just laziness though, quite different from the Japanese I guess. On the other hand, the price to get a basic haircut does increase here. Things are getting expensive.

That is the reason Argentinians purchased bricks when they had cash because they knew their paper cash would lose its value due to inflation. This type of scenario occurs when there is an extreme level of corruption in the government and underqualified people sit on chairs where they shouldn't be. Just look at what happens with pakistan and srilanka. Perhaps we can bring forth another brick index.

In my country we are going to have a similar scenario. I am saying this because people's are eating less meat and non-vegetarian food which are the primary food consumed by our people. Maybe this is a good way to judge a countries economical situation by analysis the change of its people's lifestyle.

[Mr.right85]

That's really the situation, especially in third-world countries. Inflation can't be stopped, especially when the economy isn't progressing.

Here we go again. The third world countries. It suddenly feels we are afflicted by everything negative and nothing positive ever comes this way. Once there is a negative attribute, it’s easy to find a third world country numbering amongst the afflicted. Such is the case and such is life but then, even the developed world were once here and never felt the impact as it’s felt today (so we are meant to believe).

While I see a lot of the index as at above strange, I can’t completely disagree with them nor will I be both arms open in agreement.

In the eyes of a depreciating economy, people tend to be more conservative and place value on little things than they would have in a more thriving economy.

[EluguHcman]

The economic downturn is a biased situation that brings about downfalls and limitations to human services and exchanges that also could bridge about appreciatable lifelines where as the poor can't afford to qualify demands even if it is not one of the expensive demands.
No one was meant to be denied good health, good educations, good foods, living and having smiles on the face but the reigns of economy downturn has ruined it all.
The resultants of economy downturn is a service that has offered the masses disruptions towards their endivoirs or engagements and also brings about relationship bridges and also gets the poor irresponsible reputations that they are unable to take response to their responsibilities.

Economic downturn has insighted the masses of two main mental effects which are:
* Mental breakdowns that has got the masses settling for less, taking whatever situations and conditions they finds themselves.

* Embracing of poverty because they already gets used to poor beings.

* Depreciation of ones sensitive and creative potentials.

* Inspirations to negative indulgences and also as suicidal optioning.Etc.

I can verily say that the atrocities in the world today is advanced majorly as a resultant that economy downturns is brought. People just have to survive at all means and that is why it is said that life is a survival of the fittest.

[Davian144]

Massive layoffs are indeed a concerning sign of economic distress. When companies are forced to let go of their employees, this indicates that they are struggling financially. This can make a ripple effect to the economy, because it reduces consumer spending and further strains businesses that rely on those laid-off workers as customers.

Usually companies lay off their employees to avoid excessive costs so that the company does not go bankrupt and can continue to survive longer. So the company that lays off some of its employees is certainly based on reasons that are quite clear and also quite reasonable, especially if the aim is to cut costs that the company itself considers excessive. And the factors for this can also vary, even though one of them is what you said. But there are also other factors that can cause this to happen, such as a lack of sales of their products so that the company does not get more profits, causing excessive difficulties.

The inability of local producers to compete with foreign companies can intensify the economic downturn. We are In an era when local businesses face fierce competition from companies in other countries. If local producers cant match the prices or quality of their foreign counterparts, they may lose customers and struggle to stay afloat.

The issue of competition is quite an important issue for all companies, whether local companies or foreign companies, because every company that wants to develop quickly must have a competitive strategy that is mature enough to make its competitors lose. So local companies should not be pessimistic about this as long as they have a better strategy to face existing competition, because now is the time to compete if they want to progress and develop better.

[DrBeer]

we know the economy is bad when gas prices have already gone up and all the rest of the stuff we usually buy in the grocery store is up 15%. and because your salary is just what it was the last 2 years, your situation is just as bad as the rest of us. we are in a recession. one reason more economists wanna be think we are in a recession is because we hear it on the news too.

but here are indicators to confirm we really are in an economic downturn.

1. butter popcorn index - people go to movies regardless of how bad the movie is. they just go see movies to just get away from their problems. but when the economy is bad, just sit and watch netflix.
 
2. diaper rash - parents wouldn't mind if their kid's diapers are already full during an economic crisis and are not neglectful when it comes to the diaper turning yellow during an economic upturn.

3. plastic surgery index - plastic surgery index is generally down during rough times as women wouldn't mind how small their boobs are than when the economy is booming.  

4. lipstick index -  women wouldn't spend much on expensive lipsticks so sales are gonna be bad for lipsticks compared to the times when economy is great.

5. japanese haircut index - during a good economy, more people in japan will take care of themselves and get their looks neat and they're not doing this during bad times. women don't go to beauty parlors.

6. bike fatality index - during an economic crisis, people use bikes often or can't afford cars so more bike accidents happen.

7. men underwear index - men especially singles don't mind wearing underwear with a couple of holes in it, no one sees it anyway. men buy less underwear during economic downturns.

8. garbage index - less garbage because people buy less when the economy is bad and buy more when times are good so more garbage everywhere.

9. unclaimed body index - during a bad economy, dead people are not claimed in the morgue. horrible index to look at how bad the economy is.
i'm sure people take care of their family when they die. can't believe this is happening.

i'm sure there are some more, there is also a "beer index" where people prefer to just buy 6 packs and go drink at home rather than a bar.
a few months ago, i bought my kid a secondhand laptop rather than a new one because it's expensive, i think this is also an indicator. and i know he'd break it sooner.

Quite debatable arguments To be more precise - according to this scheme, almost any indicator can be associated with a bad economy or... on the contrary, with good trends.

For example, I will paraphrase some of your indicators
1. buttered popcorn index - people go to the movies no matter how bad it is. they just go to the movies to take their minds off their problems. but when the economy is bad, just sit back and watch Netflix.
No. It's a good indicator - people are able to buy Netflix service, have their own comfortable homes and quality TV, which is more comfortable to watch sitting in a warm robe on a comfy couch

2. plastic surgery index. The plastic surgery index usually goes down during hard times because women don't pay attention to how small their breasts are than during an economic boom. 
No. The standard of living is good and women's health is higher, they don't need to unnaturally correct their bodies as they have proper nutrition, good medicine, healthy diet.

3- Lipstick index: women will not spend much money on expensive lipsticks, so lipstick sales will be poor compared to the time when savings are high.
No. In some countries, with a high standard of living, I have observed that women consider themselves naturally beautiful, and do not seek to beautify themselves with excessive makeup.

4. Bicycle fatality index - during economic crisis, people often use bicycles or can't afford cars, so more bicycle accidents occur.
No. it's just that people prioritize environmental friendliness and healthy lifestyles by bicycling. That said, high accident rates can only be attributed to low levels of responsibility and not following the rules of the road.

5. Men's underwear index - men, especially single men, don't mind wearing underwear with a couple holes in it, no one can see it anyway. men buy less underwear during economic downturns.
No. It's more of a personal hygiene and unkemptness issue since underwear is not expensive

6. Garbage Index - less garbage because people buy less when the economy is bad and buy more when times are good, so there is more garbage everywhere.
No. Less waste means people are more careful with products, not to save money, but to overcome "consumer addiction", so the standard of living and consciousness is higher.

[BIT-BENDER]

Really funny and interesting but why are you looking strange indicators like those which isn't complete and accurate measure of the economic state of any country. Where I am from we aren't the cinema freaks and you can actually use the cinema turn up to judge the nation's economy rather the most accurate indicators are.
+ The state of our currency
+ Our fuel price
+ The state of our transportation system (spike or drop in transportation price)
+ Medical services and definitely the amount of citizens Trying to leave the country.

[jacafbiz]

I don't think anyone needs to tell me that the economy is bad when your purchasing power stop dropping, the irony of the matter is that the price of goods would increase more than 100% and the economist would be telling you that the inflation is just 20%, here in my country price of most good s have increased more than 100% in the last 1 year, and you still read that the inflation is 20%, I think we are in a strange world

[electronicash]

we know the economy is bad when gas prices have already gone up and all the rest of the stuff we usually buy in the grocery store is up 15%. and because your salary is just what it was the last 2 years, your situation is just as bad as the rest of us. we are in a recession. one reason more economists wanna be think we are in a recession is because we hear it on the news too.

but here are indicators to confirm we really are in an economic downturn.

1. butter popcorn index - people go to movies regardless of how bad the movie is. they just go see movies to just get away from their problems. but when the economy is bad, just sit and watch netflix.
 
2. diaper rash - parents wouldn't mind if their kid's diapers are already full during an economic crisis and are not neglectful when it comes to the diaper turning yellow during an economic upturn.

3. plastic surgery index - plastic surgery index is generally down during rough times as women wouldn't mind how small their boobs are than when the economy is booming. 

4. lipstick index -  women wouldn't spend much on expensive lipsticks so sales are gonna be bad for lipsticks compared to the times when economy is great.

5. japanese haircut index - during a good economy, more people in japan will take care of themselves and get their looks neat and they're not doing this during bad times. women don't go to beauty parlors.

6. bike fatality index - during an economic crisis, people use bikes often or can't afford cars so more bike accidents happen.

7. men underwear index - men especially singles don't mind wearing underwear with a couple of holes in it, no one sees it anyway. men buy less underwear during economic downturns.

8. garbage index - less garbage because people buy less when the economy is bad and buy more when times are good so more garbage everywhere.

9. unclaimed body index - during a bad economy, dead people are not claimed in the morgue. horrible index to look at how bad the economy is.
i'm sure people take care of their family when they die. can't believe this is happening.

i'm sure there are some more, there is also a "beer index" where people prefer to just buy 6 packs and go drink at home rather than a bar.
a few months ago, i bought my kid a secondhand laptop rather than a new one because it's expensive, i think this is also an indicator. and i know he'd break it sooner.

Quite debatable arguments To be more precise - according to this scheme, almost any indicator can be associated with a bad economy or... on the contrary, with good trends.

For example, I will paraphrase some of your indicators
1. buttered popcorn index - people go to the movies no matter how bad it is. they just go to the movies to take their minds off their problems. but when the economy is bad, just sit back and watch Netflix.
No. It's a good indicator - people are able to buy Netflix service, have their own comfortable homes and quality TV, which is more comfortable to watch sitting in a warm robe on a comfy couch

2. plastic surgery index. The plastic surgery index usually goes down during hard times because women don't pay attention to how small their breasts are than during an economic boom. 
No. The standard of living is good and women's health is higher, they don't need to unnaturally correct their bodies as they have proper nutrition, good medicine, healthy diet.

3- Lipstick index: women will not spend much money on expensive lipsticks, so lipstick sales will be poor compared to the time when savings are high.
No. In some countries, with a high standard of living, I have observed that women consider themselves naturally beautiful, and do not seek to beautify themselves with excessive makeup.

4. Bicycle fatality index - during economic crisis, people often use bicycles or can't afford cars, so more bicycle accidents occur.
No. it's just that people prioritize environmental friendliness and healthy lifestyles by bicycling. That said, high accident rates can only be attributed to low levels of responsibility and not following the rules of the road.

5. Men's underwear index - men, especially single men, don't mind wearing underwear with a couple holes in it, no one can see it anyway. men buy less underwear during economic downturns.
No. It's more of a personal hygiene and unkemptness issue since underwear is not expensive

6. Garbage Index - less garbage because people buy less when the economy is bad and buy more when times are good, so there is more garbage everywhere.
No. Less waste means people are more careful with products, not to save money, but to overcome "consumer addiction", so the standard of living and consciousness is higher.

netflix is just a new platform. the popcorn index must have been created long before Netflix arrived. mostly are debatable but it's all really connected to how much money the people have in their accounts. like you wouldn't really risk yourself riding your bike at night when you could be safer and comfortable with your sedan. but because saving for gas makes sense when a person is jobless due to mass layoff, he'd likely use his bro's bike.

but they are all associated with the bad economy like the Luxury watch index where Rolex sales drive up especially when professionals earn their bonuses. 

[DrBeer]

netflix is just a new platform. the popcorn index must have been created long before Netflix arrived. mostly are debatable but it's all really connected to how much money the people have in their accounts. like you wouldn't really risk yourself riding your bike at night when you could be safer and comfortable with your sedan. but because saving for gas makes sense when a person is jobless due to mass layoff, he'd likely use his bro's bike.

but they are all associated with the bad economy like the Luxury watch index where Rolex sales drive up especially when professionals earn their bonuses. 

I'll just leave here the statistics of the countries with the highest proportion of bicycles per unit of population. It's enough to realize that the idea that "where people ride bicycles, poor people live" is not true.

JAPAN 126.8 million, population of the country
72.5 million, number of bicycles in the country
56.9% of bicyclists in the population

SWEDEN 8.42 mln, population of the country
3.8 million, number of bicycles in the country
48.8% of cyclists in the population

Denmark 5.7 million, country population
4.5 million, number of bicycles in the country
90% of cyclists in the population

THE NETHERLANDS 17.1 million, population 16.5 million, number of bicycles in the country 90% of bicyclists in the population
16.5 million, number of bicycles in the country
99.1% of cyclists in the population

CHINA 1.4 billion, population of the country
500 million, number of bicycles in the country
37.2% of the population bicycles

USA 327 million, population
100 million, number of bicycles in the country
32.2% of the population bicycles

NEW ZEALAND 4,8 million, national population
2,3 million, number of bicycles in the country
41% bicyclists among the population


PS in the 90s in my country, there was a mass purchase of heavy gold chains, expensive watches, etc. "indicators" of a rich life. In fact, it was just an attribute of criminals and/or people earning a lot of money not very legally, and many people imitated them to give themselves the status of "rich" )
The same can be said about buying new iPhones on credit, in very poor countries. This is not an indicator of a high standard of living, it is an option to artificially raise their status, no more than that.....

[Bananington]

Really funny and interesting but why are you looking strange indicators like those which isn't complete and accurate measure of the economic state of any country. Where I am from we aren't the cinema freaks and you can actually use the cinema turn up to judge the nation's economy rather the most accurate indicators are.
+ The state of our currency
+ Our fuel price
+ The state of our transportation system (spike or drop in transportation price)
+ Medical services and definitely the amount of citizens Trying to leave the country.

Well said, but I don't think citizens trying to leave the country is all because of the bad economy, although it might be contributory from a broader perspective. It might be for other reasons as includes, medical trip/tour, attending conventions or participation in events  in another country.
Still, gas prices becomes high, the currency may loose some value as well even in forex and exchange rates hike. Unemployment in these times might lead to a life of crime to survive, and that's s good indicator of how bad and intolerable the economy is at the time.

[mvdheuvel1983]

<snip>

I did know that such indicators exist. They are not entirely strange bit I would call them less common indicators. From off the top of my head, some other less likely indicators include -
- cellular call index- people may make less call during a recession to save money on cal bills
- brothel index- people are less likely to visit brothels and strip clubs during a recession.
- shortlet index -hotels and rental businesses are affected. Less travels and sleepovers.
- gambling/casino index- people gamble less or restrict their gambling activities during an economic downturn.

[Fortify]

we know the economy is bad when gas prices have already gone up and all the rest of the stuff we usually buy in the grocery store is up 15%. and because your salary is just what it was the last 2 years, your situation is just as bad as the rest of us. we are in a recession. one reason more economists wanna be think we are in a recession is because we hear it on the news too.

but here are indicators to confirm we really are in an economic downturn.

1. butter popcorn index - people go to movies regardless of how bad the movie is. they just go see movies to just get away from their problems. but when the economy is bad, just sit and watch netflix.
2. diaper rash - parents wouldn't mind if their kid's diapers are already full during an economic crisis and are not neglectful when it comes to the diaper turning yellow during an economic upturn.
3. plastic surgery index - plastic surgery index is generally down during rough times as women wouldn't mind how small their boobs are than when the economy is booming.  
4. lipstick index -  women wouldn't spend much on expensive lipsticks so sales are gonna be bad for lipsticks compared to the times when economy is great.
5. japanese haircut index - during a good economy, more people in japan will take care of themselves and get their looks neat and they're not doing this during bad times. women don't go to beauty parlors.
6. bike fatality index - during an economic crisis, people use bikes often or can't afford cars so more bike accidents happen.
7. men underwear index - men especially singles don't mind wearing underwear with a couple of holes in it, no one sees it anyway. men buy less underwear during economic downturns.
8. garbage index - less garbage because people buy less when the economy is bad and buy more when times are good so more garbage everywhere.
9. unclaimed body index - during a bad economy, dead people are not claimed in the morgue. horrible index to look at how bad the economy is.
i'm sure people take care of their family when they die. can't believe this is happening.

i'm sure there are some more, there is also a "beer index" where people prefer to just buy 6 packs and go drink at home rather than a bar.
a few months ago, i bought my kid a secondhand laptop rather than a new one because it's expensive, i think this is also an indicator. and i know he'd break it sooner.

These are the sort of things you'll see in the book "freakonomics" which is a fascinating insight into these sort of abstract and unexpected indicators. However the way you're framing some of these is a bit misleading, take the diaper example - I think the majority of parents want what is best for their children and try to provide for them as much as possible, so it's probably the fact that they simply cannot afford expensive diapers during downturns rather than treating their children badly - of course they mind. However these historical indicators are often hard to judge and we only see them long after the recession has set in, plus they can be hard to differentiate between ever changing consumer habits.

[jrrsparkles]

Giving attention to the prices of the products we buy itself an indicator that the economic situation is not good there, and some of the indicators you mentioned are really strange though and I don't think we can still use them in the present day to assess the economic situation. For example, diaper rash, which is considered to be a priority for the parents no matter what, and if they are in a position to can't afford then they cut down other expenses, not the diapers.

[Dunamisx]

We should always consider the inflation rate, unemployment rate, poverty rate, natality and mortality rate, natural disasters, war and human productivity under division of labor, all these will give us some accurate level or indications to read the economy progress and lapses in other to be able to deduce the causes and remedy to all these, gover also has alot to play in making the economy run as expected because one of the people it would first favour is them

[TimeTeller]

<snip>

I did know that such indicators exist. They are not entirely strange bit I would call them less common indicators. From off the top of my head, some other less likely indicators include -
- cellular call index- people may make less call during a recession to save money on cal bills
- brothel index- people are less likely to visit brothels and strip clubs during a recession.
- shortlet index -hotels and rental businesses are affected. Less travels and sleepovers.
- gambling/casino index- people gamble less or restrict their gambling activities during an economic downturn.

I think I will go on with your indexes here rather than in OP's indicators.  
Anyway, we all have our own indicators if we are experiencing some economic downturn.
But one thing for sure is that we are more attentive with our expenses if we know we have limited resources.
Also, those indicators will depend on where you are in the world and your economic status as we have different needs.

[poodle63]

those are all indeed strange indicators but I guess when economy is getting worst and worst by the day anything related to being consumtive would definitely decrease, its not necessarily all these strange indexes but anything that cause you to pay bill you will reduce it, therefore it might be better to call it reduction of money circulation around the people when economy getting worst because people are not eager to spend money in difficult times.
I even have found some strange indicator as well like when the economy was bad, so few people are actually going to some restaurant but instead going to kfc and mcdonalds because their cheap junk food are the best at difficult times.
the restaurant are becoming irrelevant because people think of it as unnecessary when you can find something to fill your belly for few dollars why come to restaurant and empty your wallets.

[SquallLeonhart]

The economic downturn is a biased situation that brings about downfalls and limitations to human services and exchanges that also could bridge about appreciatable lifelines where as the poor can't afford to qualify demands even if it is not one of the expensive demands.
No one was meant to be denied good health, good educations, good foods, living and having smiles on the face but the reigns of economy downturn has ruined it all.
The resultants of economy downturn is a service that has offered the masses disruptions towards their endivoirs or engagements and also brings about relationship bridges and also gets the poor irresponsible reputations that they are unable to take response to their responsibilities.

Unfortunately the world changes constantly, and the news and the online world are getting to a level where they are brainwashing people to be against each other, instead of being against the reason. There are a lot more billionaires now, and they keep talking about how that is due to inflation, and yet the minimum wage worker is not making all that much more, and in cases they do, they still do not live better, and yet the rich does.

The issue is that back in the day, "minimum wage" meant that you should be able to live with that, you could have a house (rent or bought doesn't matter) and be able to eat food that is not only the cheapest ever you can find, you can send your kids to school, basically live a decent life.

This idea is so crazy to people right now, someone with minimum wage, be able to afford healthcare, education, food, house, maybe even a cheap car, you should all get that, there shouldn't be a single people.

And yet, in the world we live, people die because they couldn't afford a medicine, does that even make sense to you? Like pharma company wanted profit, so it didn't sell affordable, so people died, in order to make that pharma company more profit, is that even logical? That's insane, and yet the reality.

[wxa7115]

those are all indeed strange indicators but I guess when economy is getting worst and worst by the day anything related to being consumtive would definitely decrease, its not necessarily all these strange indexes but anything that cause you to pay bill you will reduce it, therefore it might be better to call it reduction of money circulation around the people when economy getting worst because people are not eager to spend money in difficult times.
I even have found some strange indicator as well like when the economy was bad, so few people are actually going to some restaurant but instead going to kfc and mcdonalds because their cheap junk food are the best at difficult times.
the restaurant are becoming irrelevant because people think of it as unnecessary when you can find something to fill your belly for few dollars why come to restaurant and empty your wallets.

It is even worse than that, it is not that people have money and they are refusing to spend it, people simply do not have money and they need to learn how to make more with less, since they are not paid the same as before and everything is more expensive.

And it makes sense that restaurants as a whole are one of the first sectors to be affected by an economic crisis, after all restaurants sell their dishes for a price many times higher than what they paid themselves for the ingredients to make the food, and when people have to cut costs, eating at a restaurant is one of the first expenses to go, since you can eliminate it and replace it by just cooking your own food.

[electronicash]

those are all indeed strange indicators but I guess when economy is getting worst and worst by the day anything related to being consumtive would definitely decrease, its not necessarily all these strange indexes but anything that cause you to pay bill you will reduce it, therefore it might be better to call it reduction of money circulation around the people when economy getting worst because people are not eager to spend money in difficult times.
I even have found some strange indicator as well like when the economy was bad, so few people are actually going to some restaurant but instead going to kfc and mcdonalds because their cheap junk food are the best at difficult times.
the restaurant are becoming irrelevant because people think of it as unnecessary when you can find something to fill your belly for few dollars why come to restaurant and empty your wallets.

It is even worse than that, it is not that people have money and they are refusing to spend it, people simply do not have money and they need to learn how to make more with less, since they are not paid the same as before and everything is more expensive.

And it makes sense that restaurants as a whole are one of the first sectors to be affected by an economic crisis, after all restaurants sell their dishes for a price many times higher than what they paid themselves for the ingredients to make the food, and when people have to cut costs, eating at a restaurant is one of the first expenses to go, since you can eliminate it and replace it by just cooking your own food.

even bigmac meal today according to the recent news will also cost $18.  https://nypost.com/2023/07/19/mcdonalds-branch-slammed-for-charging-18-for-a-big-mac-meal/
they are still operating though which is a good thing for this fastfood restaurant, they said it's because they also approved the increase in the minimum wage of its workers.

you'd still be lucky if you could buy and cook. i learned from my cousins they were already planning to just go fishing and keep even the small size fish. it's illegal but gotta do what they gotta do.