A line chart showing total nonfarm payroll employment in the months before and after the 2001 recession and the 1990-91 recession, with the peak month equaling 100. 24 months before the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 96.6; before the 1990-91 recession, it was 95.9. 18 months before the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 97.8; before the 1990-91 recession, it was 97.3. 12 months before the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 99.1; before the 1990-91 recession, it was 98.3. 6 months before the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 99.6; before the 1990-91 recession, it was 99.0. At the onset of both recessions, employment was at 100. 6 months after the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 99.0; after the 1990-91 recession, it was 99.3. 12 months after the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 98.4; after the 1990-91 recession, it was 98.6. 18 months after the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 98.4; after the 1990-91 recession, it was 98.6. 24 months after the onset of the 2001 recession, employment was at 98.2; after the 1990-91 recession, it was 98.9. 30 months after the onset of the 2001 recession (July 2003), employment was at 98.0; after the 1990-91 recession, it was 99.2. 36 months after the onset of the 1990-91 recession, employment was at 100.8.