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The effect of COVID-19 on household energy poverty

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Rui
  • Wu, Xi
  • Yin, Zhichao

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an energy justice crisis, with its impacts on household energy consumption patterns widely documented in the literature. This paper focuses on studying the impact of COVID-19 on household energy poverty. Using the 2019 and 2021 waves of China Household Finance Survey, we find that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased households’ likelihood of falling into energy poverty. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that such aggravating effect becomes more profound for households with elders and poor health individuals, as well as those whose income is below the median.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Rui & Wu, Xi & Yin, Zhichao, 2025. "The effect of COVID-19 on household energy poverty," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:84:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325010013
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.107743
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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