Trystan Casey
Despite global access to electricity increasing steadily in recent decades, with fewer than 1 in 10 people lacking access, there are still some places in the world without electricity. This is often due to poverty, government neglect, or the location being remote or off the grid. For example, in the US, there are parts of Alaska that are not connected to the grid, and in California, Slab City runs on solar power or has no electricity at all. In Africa, nearly all of the countries with the lowest levels of electricity access have rural-majority populations, and frequent rebellions and military coups have also hindered access in some countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lack of infrastructure | Rural areas often lack the infrastructure to supply electricity. |
| Poverty | Many people cannot afford the cost of electricity or the fuel needed to generate it. |
| Government instability | Political instability and conflict can hinder the development of electrical infrastructure. |
| Remote location | Some remote locations are not connected to the electrical grid and rely on alternative power sources like solar panels or generators. |
| Off-grid living | Some people choose to live off the grid and produce their own energy. |
| Low electrification rate | Some countries have low electrification rates, such as South Sudan (5.1%), Liberia (9.8%), Malawi (9.8%), Central African Republic (10.8%), and Tanzania (15.3%). |
| Inequality between rural and urban areas | Rural areas often have lower access to electricity than urban areas. |
| Energy poverty | Lack of access to electricity hinders economic development and prevents people from participating in the modern economy. |
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What You'll Learn
Energy poverty disproportionately impacts rural areas
Energy poverty disproportionately impacts people in rural areas. While the share of people with access to electricity has been steadily increasing over the last few decades, with fewer than 1 in 10 lacking access in recent years, the distribution of electricity access is unequal between rural and urban areas. In most countries, electricity access is higher in urban areas than in rural regions. This disparity is due to various factors, including financial and logistical constraints, with population expansion outpacing grid infrastructure development.
In rural areas, poor communities often rely on traditional biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal, dung, and agricultural residues for their household and income-generating activities. This reliance on biomass fuels has significant impacts on health, education, and gender equality. For example, the collection and management of traditional fuels are typically considered women's responsibility, contributing to women's lack of access to education and income, trapping them in a cycle of poverty. Additionally, the burning of solid fuels contributes to indoor air pollution, adversely affecting the health of women and children.
The lack of access to electricity in rural areas also hinders economic and social development. Energy is necessary for household uses such as cooking, lighting, and heating, as well as agricultural and industrial activities. The absence of commercially supplied energy, particularly electricity, can lead to increased poverty, limited opportunities for development, and migratory flows to large cities. It also reinforces social asymmetry, with rural areas lagging behind their urban counterparts in terms of living standards and access to opportunities.
To address energy poverty in rural areas, off-grid solutions such as solar panels, hydro mini-grids, and biogas mini-grids have been proposed. These stand-alone power sources can provide developing countries with the opportunity to bridge the electricity gap and bring modern energy access to remote communities. Additionally, small-scale biofuel production has been suggested as a way to expand energy access and promote sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. By focusing on local production and meeting the unique needs of rural communities, it is possible to empower them to break free from energy poverty and improve their quality of life.
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Lack of infrastructure in rural areas
Access to electricity is now considered a given in most parts of the world. However, 16% of the world's population, or 1.2 billion people, still lack this basic necessity. This is known as "energy poverty", and it disproportionately affects rural areas. In fact, in most countries, urban areas have higher rates of electrification than rural regions.
In the United States, for example, while almost the entire country was electrified by the 1950s, there are still some very remote villages in Alaska that are not connected to the grid. Similarly, in Africa, the majority of countries with the lowest levels of electricity access have rural-majority populations. For instance, in South Sudan, only 5.1% of the population has access to electricity, and less than 1% of the roads are paved. This lack of infrastructure has resulted from 30 years of war and government neglect.
Tanzania is another country that faces an energy shortage, with only 15.3% of its population having access to electricity. While the country has a wealth of potential energy sources, such as biomass, solar, wind, coal, geothermal, natural gas, and uranium, most of these have remained underdeveloped. Malawi also has a shortage of infrastructure to supply electricity to its rural areas, with only 9.8% of its population having access.
In recent years, there has been a push for renewable energy systems in Africa, with initiatives to implement wind, solar, and geothermal generators to power rural areas. Additionally, the decreasing cost of solar PV modules has opened up new possibilities for electrification in hard-to-reach villages. These innovations are crucial for the 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who are unable to fully participate in the modern world due to a lack of electricity access.
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Political instability and economic crises
For instance, in Pakistan, rising costs of flour and electricity sparked demonstrations across major cities. The country's debt obligations and attempts to increase tax revenues to secure an International Monetary Fund bailout have contributed to economic hardships for its citizens. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, a heavy debt burden, unaffordable price hikes, and tax increases have resulted in a million people losing access to electricity.
Political tensions can also directly impact electricity access, as seen in the Gaza electricity crisis. The conflict between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority/Fatah over tax revenue, funding, and political authority has resulted in rolling blackouts, with residents receiving electricity for only a few hours daily.
Economic crises can be caused by various factors, including market manipulation, industrial actions, and government interventions. For example, the 2021 global energy crisis was driven by record-high energy prices due to surging demand as the world recovered from the COVID-19 recession. This impacted the availability and affordability of electricity, particularly in developing economies.
The availability and affordability of electricity are closely linked to income levels. High-income countries tend to have universal access to electricity, while low-income countries often struggle with energy poverty. However, income is not the sole determinant, as governance and institutional factors also play a significant role in electricity access.
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Remote locations with small populations
While access to electricity has been steadily increasing globally, with the number of people lacking access decreasing from 2 in 10 people in 2000 to fewer than 1 in 10 people in recent years, there are still remote locations with small populations that lack access to electricity.
In the United States, for example, there are remote villages in Alaska that may only have one building with electricity and phone access. These communities, which typically have fewer than 200 people, are heavily subsidized by the government and can only be accessed by plane. While electricity and phone access is available almost anywhere in the US, some places in Alaska are not connected to the grid, and residents may rely on generators and satellite connections, which can be expensive to fuel. Similarly, Slab City in California is an off-grid location where residents rely on solar power or have no electricity at all.
In other parts of the world, such as Africa, energy poverty disproportionately affects rural areas. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, is home to three-quarters of the world's population without access to electricity. Countries like South Sudan, Liberia, Malawi, and the Central African Republic have extremely low rates of electricity access, with less than 10% of their populations having access. Political instability, economic crises, and a lack of infrastructure contribute to the shortage of electricity in these regions.
To address the issue of energy poverty in remote locations, various initiatives have been undertaken. In Africa, for example, a French consulting firm has started an energy facility program to accelerate the building of rural infrastructure for supplying electricity to remote areas. There has also been a push for implementing renewable energy systems, such as wind, solar, and geothermal generators, to power rural communities. The goal of these initiatives is to create a reliable and low-cost energy program that can improve the living standards of people in remote locations with small populations.
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Lifestyle choice
While access to electricity has been steadily increasing over the last few decades, there are still some places and people that choose to live without it.
In the US, there are small settlements that are considered off-the-grid, which do not have access to central sewer systems or electricity. Some people in these areas have generators and satellite connections, but they are rarely used as fuel is expensive. There are also groups like the Amish, who choose to live without electricity.
There are a variety of reasons why people choose to live without electricity. Some want a simpler life, to be more eco-friendly, or to reduce their energy bills. Others may want to learn new skills and tools for living, or to unplug from the technologically advanced world.
For those living off the grid, there are alternative energy sources such as solar power, wind power, and biomass. To store the surplus energy produced, people will often install battery power banks. Additionally, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are commonly used for warmth and cooking.
While some people choose to live without electricity, there are still many people who are unable to access it. In 2024, it was reported that 1.18 billion people were energy poor and unable to use electricity. This number is expected to increase, with rising prices for fuel and food disproportionately impacting those in the developing world.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why some places may not have access to electricity. Electrification rates are often lower in rural areas, and some governments struggle to provide electricity to remote villages. In some cases, economic or political instability can hinder electrification. Additionally, some communities may choose to live off the grid and produce their own energy.
Energy poverty disproportionately impacts rural areas, and nearly all countries with low electrification rates have rural-majority populations. In 2000, nearly half of the world's people without electricity lived in South Asia. Since then, the situation has improved in South Asia, but Sub-Saharan Africa has taken its place, with three-quarters of the world's population without electricity access living in this region.
As of 2025, an estimated 1.2 billion people, or 16% of the world's population, are living without electricity. This number has decreased over time, with fewer than 1 in 10 people lacking access in recent years, compared to 2 in 10 in 2000.
Lack of access to electricity, or "energy poverty", is a significant hindrance to economic development and prevents people from participating in the modern economy. It also impacts health and living standards, as electricity and clean cooking fuels are vital for good health and a good standard of living.
