Economic and demographic determinants of household energy use in Turkey

This paper analyzes several economic and socio-demographic factors which affect households' energy choices in Turkey. The data is obtained from the Household Budget Surveys (HBS) conducted by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TÜİK). The multinomial logit model is used to identify households' energy choices. The most important finding of the study is that monthly income of households or household welfare in general has significant effect on energy choices. It is also important to note that ages of persons have influence on energy choices. Indeed, health concerns easiness in use was found as criteria referred to particularly by household heads at age 50 and over when making energy choices. As far as settlements are concerned, the most salient characteristic of urban dwellers vis á vis rural dwellers is their dominant preference for natural gas while rural dwellers have their choice for more conventional fuels. - Highlights: • We examine several factors affecting households' energy preferences in Turkey. • Monthly income of households has significant effect on energy choices. • Ages of persons have also influence on energy choices. • Health concerns easiness in use is important choice factor for old households. • Urban and rural dwellers choose natural gas and conventional fuels, respectively