Multidimensional energy poverty in Bangladesh and its effect on health and education: A multilevel analysis based on household survey data

Highlights: • This study calculates multidimensional energy poverty index for Bangladesh. • Household income and expenditure survey data is used for empirical analysis. • Multidimensional energy poverty in Bangladesh has been decreasing over the years. • Multidimensional energy poverty is negatively associated with health and education. • Policy initiatives are necessary to engender access to modern energy services. This study aims to identify the incidence and intensity of multidimensional energy poverty and its relationship with the health and education status of households in Bangladesh based on the latest three available household income and expenditure survey (HIES) waves of 2005, 2010, and 2016. In doing so, we first calculate the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI) for the context of Bangladesh, and the findings suggest that multidimensional energy poverty has been decreasing over the years––53.79%, 43.51%, and 36.33% during 2005, 2010, and 2016, respectively. Furthermore, the empirical results provide robust evidence that multidimensional energy poverty is negatively associated with the health and education status of households. Finally, this study calls for comprehensive policy response congenial with reliable energy accessibility, irrespective of location, and increased affordability of energy for all groups of users.