Global Energy Access

Fast Facts About
Global Energy Access

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Access to sustainable modern energy services is fundamental for economic growth and human development. It is one of the Sustainable Development Goals laid out in 2015 by the United Nations (SDG 7). Access considers two dimensions:

1. Electricity: Access advances education, health, productivity, security, comfort, and entertainment. It also facilitates higher-value economic opportunities.
2. Clean cooking fuels: Access reduces mortality and improves quality of life, especially for women and children, by dramatically reducing health impacts from indoor air pollution, decreasing safety risks associated with fuelwood collection, and freeing time for education and income-generating activities.

Energy access and consumption are highly related to the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite statistic that takes into account life expectancy, education, and health to measure a country’s well-being. A country’s fuel mix is also related to its level of development: Less developed countries use a higher share of traditional biomass, while more developed countries use more electricity. Read more about traditional biomass on our Biomass page.

A significant portion of the world population still lacks access to reliable electricity and clean cooking fuels, creating a challenge for equity in development opportunities.

Benefits of Energy Consumption

Electricity

The World Bank has defined different tiers of electricity access*, as shown below. To pass the basic threshold of 'having access to electricity,' a household only has to meet the criteria of Tier 1.

*Access is distinct from reliability, which measures how often electricity is available when needed. Read more about grid reliability on our The Grid: Electricity Transmission, Industry, and Markets page

Achieving Universal Electricity Access by 2030

Ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030 (Target 7.1 of the SDG 7) entails:

1. Connecting 1/3 of those without electricity to the centralized power grid. It is the least-cost option per kWh for the largest share of those gaining access.
2. Providing access through decentralized solutions for households in rural areas (2/3 of the unconnected population). For rural communities far from existing grids with relatively high population densities, mini-grids* are the best cost-effective solution, while off-grid** solutions tend to be most cost effective for rural areas with low population densities.
3. Increasing the role of renewables (mainly solar PV) in providing electricity access, both through the grid and through decentralized solutions. 

*_{Mini-grid: localized electric grid that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid and can use local renewable energy sources or conventional sources}
**_{Off-grid: operates independently of the main electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally and stored to ensure continuous power supply}

Clean Cooking Fuels

Clean cooking fuels and technologies are those that attain the air quality levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) with respect to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO). Clean cooking fuels generally include gas and electricity, while dirty cooking fuels include kerosene, biomass (e.g., wood, peat, animal waste, crop residue), charcoal, and coal.

Achieving Universal Clean Cooking Fuel Access by 2030

Replacing dirty cooking fuels with clean cooking facilities for everyone by 2030 (Target 7.1 of the SDG 7) entails: 

• Using liquified propane gas (LPG) as the most common solution to clean cooking access. In the last decade, 70% of those who gained access did so through LPG.
• Providing electric cook stoves in urban areas with well-developed electricity networks.
• Promoting the use of improved cookstoves (ICS) in rural areas without fuel and electricity infrastructure as a short-term solution to deliver health benefits and time savings while electricity or LPG networks are developed. Improved stoves incorporate features such as better insulation, more efficient combustion chambers, and proper ventilation systems.
• Ensuring women are engaged in clean cooking initiatives, from design to distribution. When women lead or participate in local clean energy enterprises, communities benefit from higher uptake, greater affordability, and more culturally appropriate cooking solutions.

Climate Impact:
Low

• Dirty cooking fuels emit greenhouse gases
• Cooking sector emissions account for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Environmental Impact:
Low to Medium

• Unsustainable harvesting of fuelwood contributes to deforestation
• Household air pollution from burning solid fuels was linked to an estimated 2.9 million deaths in 2021, including 329,000 among children under the age of 5

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