Which of the following statement(s) are true with respect to the conce

Which of the following statement(s) are true with respect to the concept of ‘EFFICIENCY’ as used in mainstream economics ?

  • 1. Efficiency occurs when no possible reorganisation of production can make anyone better off without making someone else worse off
  • 2. An economy is clearly inefficient if it is inside the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF)
  • 3. At a minimum, an efficient economy is on its Production Possibility Frontier (PPF)
  • 4. The terms such as ‘Pareto Efficiency’, ‘Pareto Optimality’ and ‘Allocative Efficiency’ are all essentially one and the same which denote ‘efficiency in resource allocation’

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
The correct option is D) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
All four statements accurately describe aspects related to the concept of efficiency in mainstream economics. Statement 1 is the definition of Pareto efficiency. Statement 2 describes productive inefficiency in terms of the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF). Statement 3 indicates productive efficiency as a necessary condition for overall efficiency, represented by being on the PPF. Statement 4 groups related terms that all denote efficiency in resource allocation, although the terms might have subtle technical differences in advanced contexts.
Efficiency in economics refers to a state where resources are used in the most effective way possible to produce goods and services and distribute them among individuals. Productive efficiency means producing on the PPF. Allocative efficiency means producing the specific combination of goods and services most desired by society. Pareto efficiency is a state where no reallocation can make someone better off without making someone worse off. While distinct concepts, they are all facets of or criteria for evaluating the efficiency of resource allocation.