Household structure and electricity consumption in Ghana

Ghana has a rising residential electricity consumption of 47% of total generation while at the same time experiencing a worsening household age-dependency ratio considered to be above the global average. Using the most recent Ghana Living Standards Survey (2016/17 i.e., the seventh round), and employing logistic regression analyses, this paper examines how and the extent to which household age-dependency (0-14 and 64+) and other sociodemographic characteristics of Ghanaian households influences residential electricity consumption. In the face of worsening climate change partly attributable to high energy consumption, understanding the role household structure in residential electricity consumption across gender and location is critical in designing appropriate demand-side management policies. The results show that dependency ratio increases electricity consumption by approximately 12.4%. Furthermore, female-headed households with dependents tend to use less; or have reduced electricity usage compared to a male-headed household with dependents. The study recommends among others, the use of local government to spearhead education on energy efficiency especially at the household level and the establishment of green financing scheme for importers, manufacturers, and households.