The phrase "a backdrop of decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment characterized by deterioration or decrease, often in a socio-economic or cultural context.
Example: "The city's vibrant arts scene has struggled to thrive against a backdrop of decline in funding and support."
Alternatives: "a setting of deterioration" or "an environment of regression."
"This is the result of an explosion of views of music videos on YouTube against a backdrop of decline in the recorded music business in general," Larry Miller, an associate professor of music business at New York University's Steinhardt School, said of the fight.
The European Union Railway Packages, a strategy for the revitalization of the railways in Europe, against a backdrop of decline, separated of infrastructure and operations and opened rail markets to competition.
But it did so hesitantly, against a backdrop of declining domestic interest in foreign affairs (a decline shared in Europe).
This is against a backdrop of declining numbers of asylum applications across Europe over the past decade – in particular, UNHCR report a drop of 33% in applications in southern EU member states between 2009 and 2010.
The management change comes amid a backdrop of declining assets at Schroder, including a net decrease of £3 billion ($4.7 billion) last year in funds that Schroder manages for American institutional investors.
And this comes under the heading of "trust and perception": The energy sector in the UK is currently the subject of unprecedented public and political debate and scrutiny against a backdrop of declining disposable income for many customers.
Even against a backdrop of declining album sales across the entire music industry (neither One Direction album has broken the 5m worldwide sales barrier, for instance) these figures would not exactly make for a great Powerpoint presentation.
The valuations for these stocks are precariously high, in our opinion, as they predict major profit growth against a backdrop of declining cash flow.
Recent volatility in the financial markets against a backdrop of declining oil prices and uncertainty in emerging and commodity-exporting economies, particularly the Chinese economy, were cited as reasons for the decisions.
The pressure to conceive against a backdrop of declining fertility, together with the decreased potential of orthodox medical interventions, means that some women become 'desperate' to try anything to achieve parenthood.
