Year: 2012
Type: report
Abstract: Most of the medium-run growth in energy demand is forecast to come from the developing world, which consumed more total units of energy than the developed world in 2007.We argue that the main driver of the growth is likely to be increased incomes among the poor and near-poor.We document that as households come out of poverty and join the middle class, they acquire appliances, such as refrigerators, and vehicles for the first time.These new goods require energy to use and energy to manufacture.The current forecasts for energy demand in the developing world may be understated because they do not accurately capture the dramatic increase in demand associated with poverty reduction.
DOI: 10.3386/w17747
Authors: Catherine Wolfram, Orie Shelef, Paul Gertler
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3122916886