A Multifaceted Analysis of Agricultural and Arable Land Use, Electricity Access, Economic Growth, and Demographic Trends Across Regions: Implications for Sustainable Development

This study examines the links between agricultural and arable land use, access to electricity, economic growth, and demographic trends in several global regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Central Europe and the Baltic States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. The study hypothesizes that access to electricity moderates the relationship between agricultural land use, economic growth, and demographic trends, with regional disparities driven by differences in initial conditions such as infrastructure development and population dynamics. Using data from 2000 to 2022 from the World Bank database and Jamovi software, the analysis employs descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, moderation analysis, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to explore regional disparities and identify challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. The results reveal significant regional disparities in electricity access, with regions such as Eastern and Southern Africa (31.8%) and sub-Saharan Africa (36.9%) facing significant electrification challenges compared to the near-universal access in Europe and Central Asia. Agricultural land use is a key determinant of economic stability, with South Asia having the highest percentage of agricultural land (56.7%), a pattern consistent with its agrarian economy. In contrast, the Middle East and North Africa faces significant constraints due to limited arable land (4.75%) and environmental challenges. The study also finds that regions such as Central Europe and the Baltics and East Asia and the Pacific have advanced agricultural practices and higher rates of urbanization, with less reliance on agriculture for economic stability. In addition, population growth shows a strong negative correlation with access to electricity (r = -0.834, p < 0.001), reflecting the demographic transition in developed countries where improvements in infrastructure coincide with lower fertility rates. Moderation analysis shows that in regions with low electricity access, such as sub-Saharan Africa, rapid population growth negatively affects GDP growth, but this effect is moderated by improvements in electricity access. Based on these findings, the study offers targeted recommendations for improving infrastructure, promoting sustainable agriculture, investing in human capital, and advancing inclusive urbanization strategies. These findings provide actionable guidance for policymakers seeking to address infrastructure deficits, reduce socioeconomic disparities, and overcome environmental constraints to achieve sustainable global development.