Percentage points compare two percentages directly; percentage change compares the gap with the starting percentage.
The relative figure becomes large when the starting rate is small, even if the point movement looks modest.
State “percentage points” in full whenever reporting an absolute movement in a rate, margin or poll share.
The full explanation
A rate moving from 4% to 5% has risen by one percentage point and by twenty-five per cent, and both statements are correct. The confusion between them is the single most common numerical error in published writing, and it is the same confusion behind why a 50% loss needs a 100% gain to recover. Read the complete guide for the reasoning, examples and definitions behind this answer.