Economic growth can be defined as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the definition of economic growth.

Step 2: Explain the concept Economic growth is the increase in an economy's capacity to produce goods and services over time. It is usually measured by the rise in real GDP (output adjusted for inflation). When we want to know whether people are actually better off, we look at real output per head (real GDP per capita), because a rise in output means little if the population grows faster than output.

Key words to remember:

• Real: adjusted for inflation, not just nominal figures.
• Sustained: the rise continues over a long period, not a one-year jump.
• Per head: output is divided by population.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. A rapid and sustained rise in real output per head. This is the standard textbook definition. It covers real output, a sustained rise over time, and the per capita measure.
• B. A rise in real income per head. This is close and sometimes accepted, but it leaves out "sustained". A one-off rise in income is not growth. Real income also isn't quite the same thing as real output.
• C. An increase in technology only. Technology is one cause of growth, not its definition, and the word "only" makes this wrong.
• D. Insufficiency in food production. This describes a food shortage, a development problem, not growth.
• E. Over population in a country. This is a demographic problem and often works against growth per head.

Step 4: Answer Option A matches the standard definition used in NECO and WASSCE Economics. Option B is the nearest distractor, but it lacks the "sustained" element.

Step 5: Exam tip For definition questions, choose the option that contains the most complete set of key terms. Remember "Real + Sustained + Per head" for economic growth. Also keep growth (a quantitative increase in output) separate from development (a broader improvement in living standards, health and education).