diskontimäär

Diskontimäär refers to the concept of the time discount rate in economics. It represents the rate at which individuals or societies value future goods or services less than present ones. In simpler terms, people generally prefer to receive a benefit sooner rather than later, and the discount rate quantifies this preference. A higher discount rate implies a stronger preference for the present, meaning future rewards are valued significantly less. Conversely, a lower discount rate suggests a greater willingness to wait for future benefits.

The discount rate is a crucial factor in various economic decisions, including investment appraisal, consumer saving behavior, and environmental policy. For instance, when evaluating a long-term investment project, a higher discount rate will lead to a lower present value of future profits, potentially making the project appear less attractive. Similarly, individuals with high discount rates are more likely to consume immediately rather than save for the future. In policy contexts, the discount rate influences how much current costs are weighed against future benefits, such as in climate change mitigation efforts where the costs are borne today but the benefits accrue over many decades. Understanding and quantifying the discount rate is therefore essential for making rational economic choices across different time horizons.