What happens to consumer surplus under efficient rationing?

Under efficient rationing, the allocation of resources is optimized to reflect consumers' willingness to pay, ensuring that those who value the resource the most receive it. This process leads to an increase in consumer surplus because efficient rationing promotes higher surplus values for consumers who obtain the goods or services they desire at a price lower than their maximum willingness to pay.

In essence, consumer surplus is calculated as the difference between what consumers are willing to pay and what they actually pay. When resources are allocated efficiently, it minimizes deadweight loss, thus enhancing the overall economic welfare and leading to a rise in the total consumer surplus. This impact is particularly notable in markets where prices reflect true supply and demand dynamics, facilitating a situation where consumer benefits are maximized.

While other options suggest stability or a reduction in consumer surplus, efficient rationing inherently aims to enhance consumer welfare by ensuring that the distribution of goods aligns closely with consumer preferences and valuations, which is fundamentally why the correct response indicates that consumer surplus increases significantly.