TIMELINE: World economies slide into recession

(Reuters) - New Zealand's economy contracted by its biggest amount in eight years, third quarter data showed on Tuesday, reinforcing expectations that its recession will not lift until well into 2009.

From the United States to Asian export giant Japan and European powerhouse Germany, several of the world's top economies have tumbled into recession as the global financial crisis deepens.

The following list shows countries that have reported recession -- most commonly defined as an economic contraction for two consecutive quarters.

* July 1, 2008: DENMARK

-- Denmark becomes the first European economy to confirm it is in recession since the global credit crunch began. Its GDP shrinks 0.6 percent in the first quarter after an 0.2 percent contraction in the fourth quarter of 2007.

-- On September 1, data shows the economy has returned to growth by expanding 0.6 percent in second quarter.

-- In the third quarter, the economy again contracted. This time it was by 0.5 percent.

* August 13: ESTONIA

-- The Baltic state slides into recession with a 0.9 percent fall in second-quarter GDP after a drop of 0.5 percent in the first quarter.

-- It falls deeper into recession in the third quarter when the economy contracted 3.3 percent.

* September 8: LATVIA

-- Latvia joins its northern neighbor Estonia in recession

as GDP falls 0.2 percent in the second quarter from the first quarter, when it fell 0.3 percent. Property markets and construction have suffered in both Baltic states.

* Sept 25: IRELAND

-- The "Celtic Tiger" becomes the first country in the euro zone to slide into recession, with a 0.5 percent fall in second quarter GDP, following a 0.3 percent decline in the first quarter. Its last recession in 1983 saw thousands of people leave Ireland to seek work overseas.

* Sept 26: NEW ZEALAND