Prosentsvis

Prosentsvis is a Norwegian adverb meaning “in percentage terms” or “as a percentage.” It is used to describe quantities, changes, or distributions relative to a total, expressed as a percentage rather than as an absolute number. The term is common in statistics, economics, journalism, and everyday language when addressing shares or rate changes.

Usage and meaning

Prosentsvis emphasizes the proportional aspect of a statement. It is typically attached to sentences that discuss relative changes or shares, indicating that the figure refers to a portion of a whole rather than to a fixed count. For example: “Andelen sykehusinnleggelser økte prosentsvis fra 5 % til 8 %” or “Salg av produktet økte prosentsvis med 12 %.” In these cases, the emphasis is on the percentage change or proportion, not on an explicit number of units.

Relation to related terms

Prosent denotes percent, while prosentpoeng refers to a difference in percentage points (an absolute change in percentage terms). Prosentsvis should not be confused with these terms, as it signals a relative, percentage-based description rather than an absolute point-to-point difference. In English, the closest equivalents are “percentage-wise” or “in percentage terms.”

Etymology and usage notes

The adverb prosentsvis is formed with the root prosent and the suffix -vis, which indicates manner. It is primarily used in written Norwegian and formal discourse, though it also appears in media and statistical reporting to clarify that statements refer to relative, percentage-based measures.