Excess

Excess is the state or amount that surpasses what is necessary, normal, or legally permitted. The term derives from the Latin excessus, from excedere, to go beyond. In everyday use it is a qualitative and quantitative notion that depends on context and reference points.

In economics, excess describes surpluses and shortages relative to a benchmark such as an equilibrium quantity or a price. Excess supply occurs when producers offer more goods than buyers demand at a given price; excess demand occurs when demand outstrips supply. Markets tend to adjust toward balance, reducing the excess through price changes or shifts in supply and demand. In taxation or regulation, excess can refer to amounts above legal limits or norms.

In statistics and epidemiology, excess is used to denote observed values above an expected baseline. Excess deaths or mortality measure how many deaths exceed what would be anticipated under normal conditions, often used to assess the impact of health crises or heat events. Similar concepts include excess risk or excess incidence in other outcomes.

In health and nutrition, excess intake of calories, salt, sugar, or alcohol can lead to adverse outcomes. In law and policy, excess may describe actions or penalties that exceed allowed limits, and is a criterion in assessing proportionality and reasonableness.

Because "excess" is context dependent, defining the reference level and method for calculating excess is essential. Different baselines or time frames can yield different conclusions, so transparent definitions are important in analysis and reporting.