Energy poverty and severe material deprivation in Greece: A path to inclusive policy solutions

Energy poverty is a complex social issue that severely impacts essential human needs, consumer behavior, social well-being, and equity. This study analyses energy poverty in Greece, aiming to identify the key drivers of its prevalence. The empirical analysis utilizes data from the 2022 EU-SILC survey (Statistics on Income and Living Conditions), which is available from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (Elstat). The empirical analysis employs logistic regression techniques to investigate the association between energy poverty and several socioeconomic, dwelling, and climatic determinants, including income, employment status, age, educational level, gender, household size, tenure status, dwelling type, urbanization level, and heating and cooling degree-days. The findings confirm that socioeconomic and climatic conditions might shape energy and material deprivation, underscoring the need for targeted measures to alleviate the hardship. The results of this paper provide valuable guidance for policies addressing energy poverty in Greece, urging policymakers to implement meaningful and efficient measures.