Despite years of high level pledges and billions in investment, the world is falling behind on its most basic energy promise. A stark new report from the World Health Organization and its partners reveals that 655 million people globally still lack access to electricity. Even more alarmingly, a staggering two billion continue to rely on polluting fuels for cooking. The data paints a picture of a deeply uneven energy transition where the developing world is largely being left behind.
The crisis is heavily concentrated in specific regions. Sub Saharan Africa accounts for over 560 million of those living without power. While renewable energy capacity is booming globally, the financial flows needed to support clean energy projects in the poorest countries actually declined by 11 percent last year.
The report highlights several critical challenges:
Stalled progress: In 2024, the global access rate stagnated at 92 percent, and annual growth halved compared to the previous decade. Achieving universal access by 2030 will now require the pace of progress to triple.
Urban-rural divide: While 89 percent of the urban population has access to clean cooking, only 56 percent of people living in rural areas do. Without stronger action, 1.8 billion people could still rely on polluting fuels like charcoal and wood by 2030.
Declining finance: International financial flows in support of clean energy to the least developed countries declined significantly, registering just $3.7 billion in 2024.
The report serves as a sobering reminder that while the industrialized world debates the nuances of grid modernization and AI power demands, a significant portion of humanity is still waiting for a light switch to flip on. Energy security and affordability are global priorities, but they must include everyone.
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