Percentpunten

Percentpunten, also known as percentage points, are a unit of measurement used to express the difference between two percentages. When referring to a change in a percentage, the term "percentage points" is used to avoid confusion with a percentage change of the percentage itself. For example, if an interest rate increases from 5% to 6%, the increase is 1 percentage point. This is different from saying the interest rate increased by 20%, which would be the percentage change of the original 5% (5% * 0.20 = 1%).

The use of percentage points is common in various fields, including economics, finance, statistics, and politics. It provides a clear and unambiguous way to communicate changes in rates, proportions, or shares. For instance, in economic reports, one might read that inflation rose by 0.5 percentage points, or that unemployment decreased by 1.2 percentage points. In opinion polls, a candidate's support might move from 45% to 48%, representing a gain of 3 percentage points.

Understanding the distinction between percentage points and percentage change is crucial for accurate interpretation of data and statistical information. A small change in percentage points can sometimes represent a significant percentage change, and vice versa, depending on the base value. Therefore, using "percentage points" clarifies that the difference is an absolute shift in the percentage value, not a relative increase or decrease.