Final answer:
In a steady state, both consumption per worker and capital per worker are constant, as per option B. This reflects a condition where economic variables stop changing, and technological advancements can help maintain these levels despite the presence of diminishing marginal returns on capital.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the economy is in a steady state, then consumption per worker and capital per worker are neither increasing nor decreasing, but instead, they remain constant; option B is the correct answer.
This outcome is supported by the Solow-swam model of economic growth, which suggests that economies move towards a point where all the key economic variables stop changing, a point known as the steady state. When an economy is in a steady state, investment is exactly enough to cover for depreciation, keeping the capital stock constant per worker, and because production is also constant, consumption per worker remains stable as well.
It is important to distinguish that the population can affect GDP per capita, depending on how it grows relative to GDP. However, this isn't directly linked to the steady state conditions which consider per-worker metrics, including capital and consumption.
Technology plays a significant role in increasing per capita output by shifting the production function upward, allowing for increased output even with constant capital deepening, and thus helps maintain a steady state without the negative effects of diminishing marginal returns.