Greece's huge national debt is hurting its economy as the country remains trapped in a deep and brutal recession.

The Greek economy shrank by 6.2 percent in the second quarter. It contracted 6.5 in the first quarter.

Even though the statistics show a slight improvement, the downturn is worse than any recession in the United States since the 1930s Great Depression.

The recession in Greece has lasted five years. The country is being kept solvent by international bailout loans in return for a harsh austerity program.