What is the result of efficiently using scarce resources?

Efficiently using scarce resources leads to increased productivity. Productivity refers to the output generated per unit of input, and when resources are used efficiently, the same amount of resources can produce more goods or services. This emphasis on efficiency means that businesses and economies can maximize their output without necessarily increasing their resource base, which in turn fosters economic growth and development.

In contexts where resources are limited, being productive is crucial for achieving higher living standards and satisfying demand. The other options, while related to economic concepts, do not directly capture the outcome of efficiently using scarce resources in the same way that productivity does. Investment involves allocating resources to create future benefits, while capital refers to the tools and assets used in production, and scarcity describes the basic economic problem of limited resources in comparison to infinite wants.