Don't trust GDP numbers.. they've been fixed to include any number of futile and nonproductive economic activities. They are completely different than the industrial focused indicators of 40 years ago. A lot of paper pushing and trading on Wall Street does not create real, productive and popularly shared wealth.
The general trend in all Western economies has been constant for at least 3 decades. Dis-assembly of manufacturing capacity and industrial integrity, a steady impoverishment of vast sectors of the former 'middle class', destruction of the workplace environment, imposition of regressive tax regimes that stunt demand and reward speculation with virtually untaxed and grotesque enrichment.
These minor up ticks are like a bouncing ball on a downward staircase.. falling then rebounding but never achieving the height of the last apex. We are in the midst of massive speculative con game run by a criminal and parasitic element in the world's financial and trading markets... and they are in complete control of the hustle.