Wiktor Wise
Access to electricity is an important social and economic indicator, as it is crucial for poverty alleviation, economic growth, and improved living standards. While access to electricity has been steadily increasing over the last few decades, with the number of people without electricity falling below one billion for the first time in decades in 2015, there are still hundreds of millions of people worldwide who lack access to electricity. This lack of access disproportionately affects people in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 80% of the people without electricity live.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of people without electricity | 733 million to 1.3 billion |
| Percentage of the world population without electricity | 18% |
| People who cook with harmful fuels | 2.4 billion |
| Percentage of people with access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa | 48% |
| Number of people in India without electricity | 304 million |
| Percentage of people in urban areas of India with electricity | 94% |
| Percentage of people in rural areas of India with electricity | 67% |
| Number of people in Pakistan facing electricity problems | 33.8% sales value lost |
| Number of people in Burundi without electricity | 6.5% of the population |
| Number of people in Malawi without electricity | 9.8% of the population |
| Number of people in Liberia without electricity | 9.8% of the population |
| Number of people in the Central African Republic without electricity | 10.8% of the population |
| Number of people in Burkina Faso without electricity | 13.1% of the population |
| Number of people in Sierra Leone without electricity | 14.2% of the population |
| Number of people in Niger without electricity | 14.4% of the population |
| Number of people in Tanzania without electricity | 15.3% of the population |
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What You'll Learn
- India has the largest population without electricity, with 304 million people living without power
- Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of people without electricity, with 590 million to 620 million lacking access
- The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have slowed progress, with 733 million people without electricity in 2022
- In 2015, the number of people without electricity fell below 1 billion for the first time in history
- The United Nations aims to provide sustainable energy for all by 2030, but this goal may not be achieved
India has the largest population without electricity, with 304 million people living without power
India has the largest population without electricity, with approximately 304 million people living without power. This issue is more prevalent in rural areas, where only 67% have access to electricity, compared to 94% in urban areas. Bihar, one of India's poorest states, is an example of this, with just over 16% of its population having electricity as the primary source of lighting. The lack of access to electricity in India has had devastating consequences, with some residents losing their lives in fires caused by kerosene lamps.
India's need for electricity poses a problem for the planet. Fossil fuel generation of electricity is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and India is the third-largest emitter of these gases. While India has pledged to increase renewable energy by 2030, the country's leaders argue that they must continue to increase their fossil fuel consumption in the near term to provide electricity to their citizens.
The Indian government has launched initiatives to address this issue, such as an ambitious project to supply 24-hour power to its towns and villages by 2022. However, progress has been slow, and setbacks have occurred due to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These events have contributed to an increase in the number of people without access to electricity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 80% of the population lacking electricity access.
While India has the largest population without electricity, it is important to note that the issue is prevalent in other parts of the world as well. Approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the second-highest number after India, at 622 million. The demand for electricity is expected to increase, especially in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, posing a challenge to meet the needs of the growing population.
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Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of people without electricity, with 590 million to 620 million lacking access
Access to electricity is a significant issue in Sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 590 million to 620 million people lacking access to this basic necessity. This region has the highest number of people without electricity worldwide and accounts for 75% of the global population lacking access. The problem is particularly acute in countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Liberia, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Niger, and Tanzania, where access rates are extremely low. For example, only 6.5% of Burundi's population has access to electricity.
While the overall number of people without electricity access has decreased globally, the deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased. This trend indicates that electrification efforts are not keeping pace with population growth in the region. From 2010 to 2019, the number of people without electricity in the region rose from 556 million to 570 million. By 2020, this number had climbed even higher to 923 million, demonstrating the magnitude of the challenge.
Several factors contribute to the lack of access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa. One key issue is the rapid population growth in the region, which outpaces the rate of electrification. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have negatively impacted progress. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and reduced consumers' income, making it more difficult for people to afford basic energy needs. The war in Ukraine has also contributed to soaring energy prices due to the uncertainty in global oil and gas markets.
To address the lack of access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, there has been a push for renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy. However, the broader adoption of solar energy in the region faces challenges such as lack of funding and inadequate transmission infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, some countries, like Kenya and Mali, have made notable advancements in electrification, outpacing their annual population growth.
Achieving universal access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa is imperative for the region's development and the well-being of its residents. It is crucial to focus on supporting electrification, especially in rural and conflict-prone areas, through initiatives such as mini-grid and off-grid electrical sources. By addressing this issue, we can ensure that millions of people have access to the benefits of modern energy, improving their quality of life and driving progress toward a more sustainable future.
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The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have slowed progress, with 733 million people without electricity in 2022
Recent global crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have negatively impacted the progress of providing electricity access to all. In 2022, around 733 million people worldwide lacked access to electricity, with India being the country with the largest population without electricity, at 304 million. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted global energy markets and supply chains, causing price fluctuations and affecting energy demand. Additionally, the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to electricity is already limited. The region accounts for 80% of people lacking electricity access, with countries like Burundi, Malawi, and Liberia having extremely low access rates.
The war in Ukraine has also contributed to the slowdown in progress. The conflict has led to a sharp increase in energy prices and significant volatility in energy markets, particularly in Europe, due to its heavy reliance on Russian energy supplies. The targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russian forces has resulted in widespread disruptions to the country's energy sector, with approximately half of its power generation capacity being occupied, destroyed, or damaged. This has had a knock-on effect on neighbouring countries, such as Moldova, which has strong energy infrastructure links with Ukraine.
The combination of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine has slowed down efforts to increase access to electricity, particularly in regions that were already struggling. The pandemic and the war have disrupted supply chains, increased energy prices, and diverted resources and attention away from addressing energy poverty. Additionally, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of electricity access for education, as school closures and remote learning have left many students without the means to continue their studies.
While there have been some positive developments, such as the International Energy Agency's release of strategic oil reserves to mitigate supply risks and the adoption of solar energy in some African countries, the overall impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine has been detrimental to progress in providing universal access to electricity. It is important to note that the lack of access to electricity disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and targeted social relief measures have been implemented in some regions to provide temporary support.
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In 2015, the number of people without electricity fell below 1 billion for the first time in history
According to estimates, the number of people without electricity was around 952 million in 2015, a substantial decline from previous years. For instance, in 1998, more than 1.5 billion people did not have electricity access, and this number likely remained above 1 billion until 2015. The progress made between 1998 and 2015 meant that, on average, 334,000 people gained access to electricity every day during that period.
However, it's important to note that this progress was not evenly distributed globally. In 2015, the lack of access to electricity was particularly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, which faced challenges due to population growth outpacing efforts to expand electricity access. This region continued to make slow progress, and by 2020, access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa had increased to 48%. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine caused setbacks, and the number of people without electricity in the region peaked in 2022.
In contrast, Asia, the world's most populous region, has made significant strides since the turn of the century. Between 2000 and 2024, the number of people without electricity in the developing Asian region declined by nearly 90%. Countries like Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia achieved universal or near-universal access in recent years. However, it's worth noting that the progress in these large countries has slowed down the overall progress in the rest of the region, as other countries have not kept pace.
Despite the encouraging developments, the work towards universal access to electricity is far from complete. As of 2023, around 750 million people still lack access to electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 80% of this number. To achieve universal access by the target year of 2030, approximately 135 million new connections will be needed annually from 2024 onwards. This will require substantial investments in power generation, electricity networks, and decentralised solutions, with a particular focus on supporting the least developed countries.
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The United Nations aims to provide sustainable energy for all by 2030, but this goal may not be achieved
The United Nations has set ambitious targets to achieve universal access to sustainable energy by 2030. While progress has been made, the current pace is insufficient, and it is uncertain whether this goal will be met.
According to the UN, ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services is a key priority. This includes expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology, particularly in developing countries, to facilitate the transition to clean and renewable energy sources. However, as of 2023, the world is still falling short of providing affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. While global access to electricity has increased, with the proportion of the global population with access to electricity rising from 87% in 2015 to 91% in 2021, there are still hundreds of millions of people without electricity access.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have also impacted progress, with global electricity access declining for the first time in a decade in 2022. Additionally, the consumption of energy contributes significantly to climate change, with around 60% of total global greenhouse gas emissions stemming from energy use. This underscores the urgency of transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources.
To achieve the 2030 target, the UN has proposed a global roadmap with concrete actions, including increasing investments in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and developing enabling policies and regulatory frameworks. It is estimated that annual investments of around $35 billion could bring electricity access to the 759 million people who currently lack it. However, despite the potential benefits to one-third of the world's population, these investments represent only a fraction of the overall global energy investment needed.
While the UN's goal of providing sustainable energy for all by 2030 is laudable, the challenges are significant. The success of this endeavour will depend on accelerated action and increased investments from countries, businesses, and organizations worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, around 737 million people do not have access to electricity. This number has dropped by more than half since 2000.
Sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia are the regions with the most people without electricity access. In 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 80% of the global total. However, developing Asian countries like India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have made significant progress in recent years.
There are various reasons for the lack of electricity access, including population growth outpacing new connections, financial constraints, power outages, equipment malfunctions, and gaps in the distribution network.
Lack of access to electricity can have severe consequences, including harms to physical health and mental well-being, social exclusion, and stigmatization. It also impacts poverty alleviation, economic growth, and improved living standards.
