Definition of Hard Landing

What does the term "hard landing" mean in the world of economics? What is the definition of the term "hard landing"?

In economics, a "hard landing" occurs when an economy quickly switches from growth-mode to either flat growth or a recession. In order to prevent high inflation, governments will usually craft their fiscal policy in order to slow down the economy without causing a recession. For instance, if the rate of inflation was ticking uncomfortably high, the government may raise interest rates in order to slow growth.

The goal of a government's fiscal policy is to have a "soft landing", which occurs when inflation ticks lower but growth remains high enough to avoid a recession.

A "hard landing", on the other hand, occurs when economic growth slows to nothing or even reverses. For obvious reasons, governments will do their very best to avoid "hard landings".

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