Time preference

In economics, time preference (or time discounting,^[1] delay discounting, temporal discounting,^[2] long-term orientation^[3]) is the current relative valuation placed on receiving a good or some cash at an earlier date compared with receiving it at a later date.^[1]

Time preferences are captured mathematically in the discount function. The higher the time preference, the higher the discount placed on returns receivable or costs payable in the future.

One of the factors that may determine an individual's time preference is how long that individual has lived. An older individual may have a lower time preference (relative to what they had earlier in life) due to a higher income and to the fact that they have had more time to acquire durable commodities (such as a college education or a house).^[4]. As future is inherently uncertain, risk preferences also affect time preferences.^[5]