Kustannushyötyarvioinnin

Kustannushyötyarviointi, often abbreviated as KHA, is a systematic process used in Finland to evaluate the economic and social impacts of a proposed project or policy. The primary goal is to compare the total costs associated with an initiative against its anticipated benefits. This helps decision-makers determine if the project is worthwhile from a societal perspective. KHA considers a wide range of impacts, including direct financial costs and benefits, as well as less quantifiable effects such as environmental improvements, health outcomes, and changes in quality of life.

The methodology involves identifying all relevant costs and benefits, quantifying them in monetary terms where possible, and then discounting future values to their present worth. This ensures that costs and benefits occurring at different times are comparable. Different scenarios and sensitivity analyses are often employed to assess how the results might change under varying assumptions. KHA is widely used in the public sector for evaluating infrastructure projects, environmental regulations, and healthcare interventions. Its application aims to promote efficient resource allocation and to ensure that public investments deliver the greatest possible value for society.