Access to Electricity (% of Population) by Country (1990-2023)

This dataset monitors Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 7.1.1: the proportion of the population with access to electricity. It provides a comprehensive global view of electrification progress over more than three decades. Access to electricity includes both grid and off-grid connections (e.g., solar home systems). The data is presented as a percentage of the total population for each respective year and country, allowing for detailed trend analysis of energy poverty and infrastructure expansion.

Data Quality

The dataset is highly structured. While historical data (early 1990s) contains some null values for specific regions (e.g., Afghanistan, Angola), the recent decade is largely complete for major economies. Data values are normalized as percentages (0-100).

Use Cases

Tracking global energy poverty, evaluating the effectiveness of national electrification programs, analyzing the correlation between energy access and economic development, and modeling future energy demand in emerging markets.

Limitations

The dataset provides national aggregates but does not capture the reliability of the electricity supply (e.g., frequency of outages) or the affordability for households. Historical gaps exist for post-conflict or low-income states.

Methodology

Data is collected by the World Bank from various sources, including household surveys (DHS, MICS, LSMS), national censuses, and reports from international organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA). A modeling approach is often used to fill gaps between survey years to provide a continuous annual time series.