The outward shift of the long-run aggregate supply curve is best represented by what economic condition?

• A. Recession
• B. Inflation
• C. Economic growth
• D. Stagnation

Answer: (C)

The outward shift of the long-run aggregate supply (LRAS) curve is indicative of an increase in the economy's potential output, which is fundamentally tied to economic growth. This shift suggests that the economy can produce more goods and services at full employment, typically due to advancements in technology, improvements in productivity, or an increase in the quantity or quality of factors of production, such as labor and capital.

Economic growth reflects a sustainable increase in real GDP over time, representing an economy's ability to expand its productive capacity. When the LRAS curve shifts outward, it signals that the economy has successfully enhanced its efficiency and resource utilization, leading to higher long-term economic performance.

In contrast, other options such as recession, inflation, and stagnation do not correspond to this upward trend in potential output. A recession indicates decreasing production and employment, inflation often relates to demand-side pressures rather than a change in overall productive capacity, and stagnation reflects a lack of growth or improvement in economic conditions. Thus, the condition representing an outward shift in the LRAS curve aligns closely with the concept of economic growth.