Konsumentoverskuddet

Konsumentoverskuddet, often translated as consumer surplus, is an economic term that represents the difference between the price consumers are willing to pay for a good or service and the actual price they pay. It is a measure of the economic benefit that consumers receive from purchasing a product. When consumers are willing to pay more for an item than its market price, they experience a surplus.

This concept is a fundamental part of microeconomics and is typically illustrated using a demand curve. The demand curve shows the quantity of a good consumers are willing to buy at various prices. The area below the demand curve and above the market price line represents the total consumer surplus in a market. A higher consumer surplus generally indicates that consumers are getting good value for their money.

Factors that can influence consumer surplus include changes in market price, the availability of substitutes, and consumer income. For instance, a decrease in the price of a good, holding demand constant, will increase consumer surplus. Conversely, an increase in price will decrease it. Governments and businesses sometimes consider consumer surplus when making policy decisions or pricing strategies, as it reflects consumer welfare.