What term describes the limited nature of society's resources to meet unlimited wants?

The term that describes the limited nature of society's resources to meet unlimited wants is known as scarcity. Scarcity arises because resources such as time, money, labor, and raw materials are finite, while human desires and needs are virtually infinite. This fundamental concept in economics highlights the necessity for individuals and societies to make choices about how they allocate their limited resources among competing uses.

Scarcity drives the need for prioritizing needs over wants and encourages efficient resource management. It also underscores the importance of trade-offs in decision-making since satisfying one want typically requires forgoing another due to the availability of limited resources.

In contrast, opportunity refers to the potential benefits or value of the next best alternative that one gives up when making a decision, rather than the constraints imposed by limited resources. Demand refers to consumers’ willingness and ability to purchase goods and services, while supply pertains to the amount of a product or service that the market can offer.