Which of the following best describes the basic economic problem?

• A. The existence of inflation in the economy
• B. The presence of monopolies in certain industries
• C. The need for government intervention in markets
• D. Scarcity of resources relative to unlimited wants

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the basic economic problem arises because resources are limited while human wants are unlimited.
2. Recognize that this scarcity forces individuals and societies to make choices about how to allocate resources efficiently.
3. Identify that inflation, monopolies, and government intervention are important economic issues but are not the fundamental problem.
4. Focus on the concept of scarcity, which is the root cause of economic decision-making and the need for prioritization.
5. Conclude that the best description of the basic economic problem is the scarcity of resources relative to unlimited wants.