kontingent

Kontingent is a term used in German and other languages to denote a fixed portion or allocation of a resource, opportunity, or duty set aside for a specific purpose, group, or period. The core idea is that a larger pool is divided into discrete shares, each representing a defined entitlement, permitted quantity, or service.

In economics and trade, kontingente describe quotas: a limited quantity of goods that may be imported or exported under favorable terms. When the Kontingent is exhausted, imports may face higher duties or be restricted.

In military and international deployment, a kontingent refers to a contingent—a defined body of personnel assigned to a mission or rotation. The term also appears in disaster relief and security planning to indicate a specifically allocated force or response capacity.

In migration and public policy, quotas or admission Kontingente designate the number of entrants or beneficiaries allowed within a period, sometimes allocated by region, group, or program.

In statistics and social research, Kontingentstichprobe (quota sampling) uses predefined quotas for characteristics such as age, gender, or region to guide data collection.

In business, logistics, and event management, kontingent can refer to blocks of seats, tickets, inventory, or housing units reserved for a particular customer, partner, or program.

The word thus covers a broad concept of allocation and can be synonymous with quota, allotment, or share, depending on context.