The relationship between energy access and human development is one of the most important dynamics in global development. Countries with higher per capita energy consumption consistently achieve higher HDI scores.
Key Takeaways
Sub-Saharan Africa faces the starkest energy gap. Excluding South Africa, the region averages just 3.8 MWh per person — compared to 32.4 MWh for the rest of the world.
The scatter plot above shows a clear logarithmic relationship between energy consumption and human development. No country has achieved “Very High” HDI status (>= 0.80) with less than roughly 10 MWh per capita of primary energy demand.
What This Means for Achieving SDGs
Energy access is not just an economic issue. Energy access is a requirement for achieving sustainable development goals, especially in health, education, and the standard of living.
