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Welfare effects of energy subsidy reform in developing countries

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  • Loek Groot
  • Thijs Oostveen

Abstract

We analyze the potential welfare effect of energy subsidy reforms. The income distributions of eleven developing countries from different geographical regions are simulated using the assumption that income is lognormally distributed. We use the concept of the compensating variation to measure how much compensation is required to compensate consumers for a price increase in formerly subsidized goods. The behavior of consumers is modeled by a standard Cobb–Douglas and a quasilinear utility function. In the Cobb–Douglas case, a fixed fraction of income is spent on the subsidized good, which does not change after a price increase. With quasilinear preferences, the optimal amount of the subsidized good does not vary with income, but does change as prices change. We show theoretically and empirically that the required compensating variation can be set below the saved expenditures on subsidies, so a budget neutral reform can have a positive effect on social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Loek Groot & Thijs Oostveen, 2019. "Welfare effects of energy subsidy reform in developing countries," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(4), pages 1926-1944, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rdevec:v:23:y:2019:i:4:p:1926-1944
    DOI: 10.1111/rode.12619
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    Cited by:

    1. Hosan, Shahadat & Rahman, Md Matiar & Karmaker, Shamal Chandra & Saha, Bidyut Baran, 2023. "Energy subsidies and energy technology innovation: Policies for polygeneration systems diffusion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    2. Zarepour, Zahra & Wagner, Natascha, 2022. "Cash instead of subsidy: Assessing the impact of the iranian energy subsidy reform on households," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    3. Muhlis Can & Jan Brusselaers & Mehmet Mercan, 2022. "The effect of export composition on energy demand: A fresh evidence in the context of economic complexity," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 687-703, May.

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