The impact of energy poverty on subjective well-being: evidence from China

Abstract Energy poverty (EPOV) is a critical issue for many countries, and is regarded as having an impact on subjective well-being (SWB). Using data from 2014–2020 China Family Panel Studies, this study examines the impact of EPOV on SWB from two dimensions: present-based and future-based. Our results indicate that the incidence of EPOV at the family level in China ranges from 20.2% to 23.6% across six different measures. The empirical findings show that EPOV has a significantly negative effect on SWB in both dimensions. Physical health, mental health, and cognitive health serve as key channels through which EPOV affects SWB. Furthermore, the impacts of EPOV on SWB vary across different demographic groups. In the present-based dimension, EPOV has a greater impact on middle-aged and older adults; whereas in the future-based dimension, the impact on low-capital residents, middle-aged and older adults is more significant. These findings highlight the necessity of addressing the adverse impact of EPOV on SWB in different time dimensions. Developing comprehensive and targeted strategies to mitigate EPOV for diverse demographic groups is essential.