Energy poverty and subjective well-being in China: New evidence from the China Family Panel Studies

Using the 2012-2018 waves of the China Family Panel Studies, we investigate the impact of energy poverty (EP) on subjective well-being (SWB) among Chinese adults aged 18 and over. In addition to documenting EP rates in the range of 13.2% to 35.3% (dependent on measurement used), we show that EP leads to higher levels of depression. These results are robust to both alternative EP and SWB measures and to a series of estimation approaches that control for endogeneity. Structural equation modeling of the underlying mechanisms shows that individual self-reported health and household food expenditure mediate the EP-SWB relation.

Automated summary

Using data from the China Family Panel Studies, this research examines the impact of energy poverty on subjective well-being among Chinese adults aged 18 and over. It reveals that higher levels of depression are associated with energy poverty, and that individual self-reported health and household food expenditure play mediating roles in this relationship. The results are robust across different measurement tools and estimation approaches.