Population growth is defined as

• A. Increase in average lifespan.
• B. Expansion of arable land area.
• C. Increase in the number of people who inhabit a territory or state.
• D. Rate of resource depletion per year.

Answer: (C)

Population growth is the change in how many people live in a given area over time. It captures the overall increase or decrease in the number of residents, driven by births, deaths, and migration. The statement describing an increase in the number of people who inhabit a territory or state matches this idea exactly, which is why it’s the best choice.

Longevity, or longer lifespans, can influence population size over time but isn’t the definition of growth itself. Expanding arable land changes how much farming space exists, not how many people live there. The rate of resource depletion says how quickly resources are used, not how many people occupy the area. In agriculture, population growth affects demand for food, water, and land, making this concept essential to planning.