Why is real gross domestic product used to determine if the economy is in recession why not use unemployment figures?

Real gross domestic product (GDP) is used to determine if the economy is in recession because it reflects the total economic output, adjusting for inflation, and provides a comprehensive measure of economic activity. A recession is typically defined as two consecutive quarters of negative real GDP growth, indicating a sustained decline in economic performance. Unemployment figures, while important, can lag behind economic changes and may not capture short-term fluctuations in output, making real GDP a more immediate and reliable indicator of overall economic health.