Evaluating multidimensional energy poverty of South Asian countries: An in-depth analysis using household surveys

This study examines the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI), headcount ratio, and intensity in six South Asian countries. Using two datasets (India, 2005 and 2015), (Bangladesh, 2011 and 2017), (Afghanistan, 2010 and 2015), (Pakistan, 2012 and 2017), (Nepal, 2011 and 2016), and (the Maldives, 2009 and 2016), this study employs an adjusted MEPI to compare each country’s effort in multidimensional energy poverty reduction (2005 to 2017). The empirical results indicate that India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives significantly reduced MEPI, headcount ratio, and intensity compared to past years. However, in the case of Afghanistan, MEPI and the headcount ratio increased. The empirical results further indicate that although there has been a significant reduction in MEPI, the deprivation of modern cooking fuel and access to electricity remains high in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. The study invites attention towards clean energy sources and proposes that if these countries provide modern energy fuel to households, a significant reduction is possible in the MEPI score. In our study, the results obtained with modern cooking fuel significantly dropped MEPI, headcount ratio, and intensity. These findings explain the necessary attention toward multidimensional energy poverty reduction strategies in South Asia and other developing countries.