Assessing Energy Security in South Asia: A Composite Index Approach Incorporating Governance, Sustainability, and Socioeconomic Dimensions

Munazza Akhtar, Muhammad Ilyas and Ashfaq Ahmad
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Munazza Akhtar: Department of Economics, Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ilyas: Department of Economics, Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
Ashfaq Ahmad: Department of Economics, Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan

Asian Journal of Applied Economics/ Applied Economics Journal, 2026, vol. 33, issue 2

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Energy security extends beyond resource availability and affordability to encompass governance, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic dimensions that are critical for sustainable development. In South Asia, rising energy demand, rapid population growth, and urbanization are intensifying pressure on limited energy resources. A comprehensive assessment of energy security helps identify structural weaknesses, including import dependence, inefficient energy use, and unequal access to modern energy services across countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. It also provides insights into institutional effectiveness, environmental performance, and the long-term resilience of energy systems. Accordingly, this study develops a multifaceted energy security index for South Asian countries over the period 2001–2022.

Methodology: Data suitability is assessed using the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett’s test of sphericity. A KMO value above 0.05 indicates adequate sampling, while a significant Bartlett’s test (p

Keywords: Energy Security; Composite Index; Principal Component Analysis; South Asia; Sustainable Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C38 O13 Q43 Q48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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