Fact-check analysisUpdated October 21, 2026Curated by FactVerify
Mostly True

22 states + DC, in or near recession per Moody’s Analytics, Oct 2025, includes Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia & Wyoming (8 Red, 15 Blue)

The claim accurately reflects an October 2025 assessment by Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi identifying 22 jurisdictions (including Washington, D.C.) in or near recession, though reporting indicates the group combined states already experiencing downturns with those at high risk.

Yes, you are feeling it: 22 states are officially in a recession — is yours on the list?

Yes, you are feeling it: 22 states are officially in a recession — is yours on the list?

Source: m.economictimes.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified October 21, 2026
  • Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics released an economic assessment in October 2025 tracking state-level recession risks and contractions.

  • The analysis identified 22 jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., as either in a recession or at high risk.

  • Major financial news outlets covered the state-level breakdown, noting that national economic growth masked localized downturns.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

In October 2025, economic reporting highlighted a state-level analysis released by Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi. The assessment evaluated economic indicators across the United States, pointing to notable strain in specific regional economies while the national economy continued to grow overall. Media outlets such as Newsweek and Axios heavily covered the findings, noting that the flagged group encompassed jurisdictions facing either active contractions or heightened vulnerability to a downturn.newsweek.comnewsweek.comMap Shows Which States Face Recession and Which Are GrowingMajor financial news outlets (including MarketWatch, Axios, Fox Business, and Newsweek*) heavily covered this assessment in early October 2025 The Core Finding: While the national U.S. economy was technically still growing at the time,...axios.comaxios.comTrump Tariffs Immigration Recession StatesBased on economic analyses and major media reporting from October 2025, the claim regarding Moody’s Analytics tracking state-level recession risks is largely accurate regarding the core data and source, though with important contextual...

Financial coverage detailed how the analysis used specific regional metrics, including employment trends and output growth, to categorize states into different economic health tiers. While some reports referred broadly to the entire group as being in recession, the underlying data distinguished between areas already experiencing contractions and those categorized as treading water or at high risk.moneywise.commoneywise.comEconomist Mark Zandi Says These 22 States Have Slipped Into Recession Based on 2...The Claim: In October 2025, Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, released an analysis and list indicating that 22 states (including the District of Columbia) were either in a recession or at high risk of entering one In... This nuance provides essential context for the specific list of 22 states and the District of Columbia cited in public discussions.m.economictimes.comm.economictimes.comYes, you are feeling it: 22 states are officially in a recessionBased on economic analyses and major media reporting from October 2025, the claim regarding Moody’s Analytics tracking state-level recession risks is largely accurate regarding the core data and source, though with important contextual...+1 more

Primary trail

Verified Sources6

Economic Outlook New York California Economies Recession Mark Zandi 2025 10

businessinsider.com
Open source

Economist Mark Zandi Says These 22 States Have Slipped Into Recession Based on 2...

moneywise.com
Open source

Map Shows Which States Face Recession and Which Are Growing

newsweek.com
Open source
Transparency

Revision history

  1. Version 2October 22, 2026

    The verdict changed slightly from True to Mostly True in the fresh fact-check to reflect the contextual nuance that the 22 jurisdictions combined states already in a recession with those at high risk or on the brink.

    True → Mostly True
  2. Version 1October 11, 2025

    Initial published version

    True
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