The US economic recovery may be taking place at a modest place, but it shows signs of lasting almost twice as long as average. Four years into the upswing, and averaging an annual growth of about 2 percent since its start in June 2009, the recovery is predicted to continue for yet another four years - at least. This would make this upturn the second longest on record, behind only the ten year period that spanned the 1990s. The longevity of the recovery can be attributed to the fact that many of the excesses that often signal the start of contractions are not present; in fact, inflation is slowing - not quickening. Confronted by elevated unemployment and a depressed housing market, Americans, who had delayed forming families, buying homes and acquiring cars, are now changing their behaviour, as house prices rise and payrolls expand more rapidly.