nyttegevinst

Nyttegevinst is a term used in welfare economics and decision analysis to denote the change in total utility or welfare that arises from a policy, project, or decision. The word combines nytte (utility or benefit) and gevinst (gain), emphasizing how much a chosen option increases or decreases overall well‑being relative to a baseline scenario.

In practice, nyttegevinst is central to cost-benefit analysis. It aggregates the benefits and costs experienced by individuals, groups, and future generations. Because utility is not directly observable, analysts often translate benefits such as time savings, health improvements, or environmental quality into monetary terms using willingness‑to‑pay estimates or shadow prices. The resulting sum represents the net nyttegevinst, typically expressed as a net present value of utility changes over the analyzed horizon.

Calculation requires defining a baseline, identifying all relevant changes, and estimating their impact on utility. Time horizons and discounting influence the result, as do distributional considerations that may weight certain groups more heavily. Some analyses separate monetary nyttegevinst from non‑monetary or distributional effects, while others incorporate qualitative assessments for aspects difficult to monetize.

Examples include infrastructure projects that reduce travel time, health interventions that improve quality of life, or regulatory changes that enhance safety or environmental quality. Limitations of the concept include challenges in measuring utility, the monetization process introducing value judgments, and debates about how to compare welfare across individuals or generations.