Electricity Access and Multidimensional Well-Being in the DRC: The Moderating Effect of Residential Location

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of household electricity access on combined well-being in the Democratic Republic of Congo using the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), which include a multidimensional household well-being index capturing education, health, life satisfaction, and living-standard indicators. Using multiple linear regression (OLS) with robust standard errors, we estimate the average effect of electricity access while controlling for household heterogeneity, including demographic characteristics, education, income, and geographic location. The empirical evidence reveals that access to electricity consistently emerges as a decisive determinant of household well-being across all dimensions, with non-electrified households exhibiting significantly lower well-being, both in rural and urban areas. In rural settings, electricity access acts as a transformative force, offsetting structural disadvantages by improving access to information, domestic productivity, and children’s education, thereby reducing territorial inequalities. In urban areas, the absence of electricity is associated with an urban penalty, reflecting high living costs and reliance on energy infrastructure. These findings align with previous empirical studies and Sen’s capability approach, highlighting that electrification is not merely an infrastructure intervention but a structural policy instrument for enhancing welfare, reducing inequalities, and fostering human development. The results underscore the need for integrated policies combining electrification with human capital development, complementary infrastructure, and productive energy use to promote inclusive and sustainable well-being in the DRC.