What is the difference between "listless" and " anemic" ?

For instance:
(1) We will see some economic recovery, but it will be very listless/anemic.
(2) It's a listless/anemic performance.

Thank you very much

Question

What is the difference between "listless" and " anemic" ?

For instance:
(1)  We will see some economic recovery, but it will be very listless/anemic.
(2)  It's a listless/anemic performance.

Thank you very much

Answer

In this instance I think they mean about the same.  weak, lacking  energy, sluggish, etc.

Answer

In #1, where you are talking about the economy, and also in #2 where you are talking about a performance, there is no difference.  However, when you discuss any living creature, the two concepts overlap but are not the same. "Anemic" originally was (and still is) a medical term that refers to bad blood. From that, it came to mean physical weakness in general. "Listless" means lacking in pleasure, joy, or enthusiasm. Either attribute can be used to describe slothful behavior, but "anemic" is a better choice when that behavior is due to a physical ailment.