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Household energy transition, health and fertility in China

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  • Chen, Dengke
  • Ma, Qianqian

Abstract

China has experienced substantial progress in transitioning from traditional solid fuels to cleaner energy for cooking, while the impact of access to clean cooking on individual and household welfare remains underexplored. Drawing on nationally representative data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper estimates the causal effects of clean cooking on health and fertility. We provide evidence that access to clean fuel, instrumented by the community adoption of clean energy, significantly improves health. This effect is particularly pronounced among vulnerable populations, such as women, the elderly, and rural children, who are most sensitive to the adverse effects of household air pollution (HAP). Furthermore, we find that clean cooking contributes to higher fertility rates, with this effect intensifying as household income decreases. These results underscore the importance of access to clean energy in mitigating the disparities stemming from energy poverty and serve as valuable investments in human capital for promoting economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Dengke & Ma, Qianqian, 2025. "Household energy transition, health and fertility in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:151:y:2025:i:c:s0264999325002263
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2025.107231
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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