SDG 7 Energy Progress Report: Global Gaps in Electricity and Clean Cooking Access

Global progress toward universal energy access is stalling, with 685 million people currently living without electricity and two billion relying on polluting fuels for cooking, according to the 2024 Tracking SDG 7 report published by the IEA, IRENA, UN DESA, the World Bank, and the WHO. While renewable energy now accounts for over 30% of global electricity consumption, the pace of electrification must triple by 2030 to meet international sustainable development goals.

Why is progress on electricity access slowing?

The global electrification rate has stagnated at 92%, with the annual growth rate halving compared to the previous decade. According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa faces the most significant deficit, where the number of people without electricity access remains concentrated in rural areas. The rural deficit in the region grew from 376 million in 2010 to 447 million in 2024. Experts attribute this slowdown to a combination of high connection costs, insufficient infrastructure in remote regions, and the ongoing global energy crisis, which has constrained public budgets and increased the cost of debt for developing nations.

What is the health impact of the clean cooking gap?

Approximately two billion people—roughly one-quarter of the global population—lack access to clean cooking technologies, relying instead on kerosene, charcoal, wood, or coal. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies household air pollution from these fuels as a primary driver of disease, contributing to approximately 3 million deaths annually. This energy poverty disproportionately affects women and children, who often manage household fuel collection. Without immediate intervention, the number of people lacking clean cooking access in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to reach one billion by 2027.

How does renewable energy adoption compare across regions?

While global renewable energy capacity reached a record 544 watts per person, usage remains highly unequal. Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlights a stark disparity between high-income and low-income nations:

• High-income countries: 1,224 watts of renewable capacity per person.
• Low-income countries: 33.6 watts of renewable capacity per person.

Although renewables represent over 30% of global electricity supply, their integration into heat and transport sectors remains limited. Energy efficiency improvements also slowed, falling from a 2.4% progress rate in 2022 to 1.5% in 2023, missing the benchmarks required to align with global climate targets.

Are financial flows meeting the need?

International public financial support for clean energy in developing countries remains insufficient. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), public financial flows to clean energy projects in developing nations rose only marginally, from US$ 24.4 billion in 2023 to US$ 24.6 billion in 2024.

A significant shift in the composition of this funding has also occurred. Debt-based financing now accounts for approximately 80% of total flows, while grant-based support—which is critical for the least developed countries—remains limited to 13%. This reliance on debt exacerbates economic strain in nations already struggling with high interest rates and limited fiscal space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the target for SDG 7?
Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030.

Why is electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa falling behind?
Infrastructure gaps, high upfront connection costs, and a lack of affordable financing for rural mini-grid projects have hindered progress, according to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

What are the most promising solutions for clean cooking?
The report identifies electric cooking, bioethanol, and biogas as the most scalable renewable solutions to replace polluting solid fuels.