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The Role of Poverty and Gender in Shaping Households’ Energy Consumption Patterns in Selected European Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Florian Marcel Nuță

    (School of Economics and Business Administration, Danubius International University, 800654 Galati, Romania)

  • Alina Gabriela Mărcuță

    (Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 011464 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Levente Dimen

    (Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia, 510009 Alba Iulia, Romania)

  • Liviu Mărcuță

    (Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 011464 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Lucian Gaban

    (Faculty of Economics, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia, 510009 Alba Iulia, Romania)

  • Nargiz Hajiyeva

    (Women Researchers Council, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Istiqlaliyyat Str. 6, Baku 1001, Azerbaijan)

  • Alina Cristina Nuta

    (School of Economics and Business Administration, Danubius International University, 800654 Galati, Romania
    Women Researchers Council, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Istiqlaliyyat Str. 6, Baku 1001, Azerbaijan)

Abstract

In the context of Sustainable Development Goals, declining poverty (Goal 1), achieving gender equality (Goal 5), and ensuring access to clean and affordable energy (SDG7) are still behind track, and the gaps are not yet ready to be rapidly fulfilled. As part of Goal 7, energy consumption-related targets still lack the potential to be targeted. Considering these elements, this study aims to determine the impact of poverty and gender equality on the energy consumption of households in several European countries. Using data from 2010 to 2022 and the moments’ quantile regression method combined with a pooled OLS based on Driskoll-Kraay estimators, we found statistically significant results regarding the impact of poverty and gender on household energy consumption. These findings’ significance will direct policy design towards those meaningful tools that will increase energy efficiency, address energy poverty, and ensure energy just transition, leaving no one behind. Based on the main findings, the policymakers can understand that a mix of policies is significantly more efficient. In such circumstances, social and economic inequalities will not successfully address development issues without including key environmental priorities, such as emissions mitigation and energy consumption patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Florian Marcel Nuță & Alina Gabriela Mărcuță & Levente Dimen & Liviu Mărcuță & Lucian Gaban & Nargiz Hajiyeva & Alina Cristina Nuta, 2025. "The Role of Poverty and Gender in Shaping Households’ Energy Consumption Patterns in Selected European Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1266-:d:1605622
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