Is Income Inequality a Determinant of Energy Poverty in Developing Countries?

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between energy poverty and income inequality in developing countries. Econometric analysis was carried out by following the panel data analysis processes with the data of 14 developing countries for the period 2000-2019. Two separate models were created for energy poverty using two different indicators (access to electricity, access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking to the total population). Models were estimated with Parks-Kmenta and Beck-Katz, estimators that can produce robust standard errors. As a result of the research, it was seen that income inequality negatively affected energy poverty indicators in three of the four estimates. Accordingly, it can be said that income inequality increases energy poverty. Based on the findings, it is recommended that policy makers in 14 developing countries take income inequality into account in their energy poverty policies.

Keywords

• Energy poverty
• Income inequality
• Access to energy
• Panel data analysis

Gelişmekte Olan Ülkelerde Gelir Eşitsizliği Enerji Yoksulluğunun Belirleyicisi mi?

Abstract

Bu çalışma, gelişmekte olan ülkelerde enerji yoksulluğu ve gelir eşitsizliği ilişkisini araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Gelişmekte olan 14 ülkenin 2000-2019 dönemine ait verileri ile panel veri analiz süreçleri takip edilerek ekonometrik analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Enerji yoksulluğu iki farklı gösterge (elektriğe erişim ve yemek pişirmek için temiz yakıtlara ve teknolojilere erişim) ile temsil edilerek iki ayrı model oluşturulmuştur. Modeller, dirençli standart hatalar üretebilen tahmincilerden Parks-Kmenta ve Beck-Katz ile tahmin edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda, yapılan dört tahminin üçünde gelir eşitsizliğinin enerji yoksulluğu göstergelerini negatif yönde etkilediği görülmüştür. Buna göre, gelir eşitsizliğinin enerji yoksulluğunu artırdığı söylenebilir. Bu sonuç özelinde, gelişmekte olan 14 ülkede politika yapıcıların enerji yoksulluğu ile ilgili politikalarında gelir eşitsizliğini de dikkate almaları önerilir.

Keywords

• Enerji yoksulluğu
• Gelir eşitsizliği
• Enerjiye erişim
• Panel veri analizi

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