Examination of the Factors of Multidimensional Energy Poverty in a Hungarian Rural Settlement

Mónika Rákos, Laura Mihály-Karnai, Dániel Fróna () and Csaba Csetneki
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Mónika Rákos: Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Laura Mihály-Karnai: Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Dániel Fróna: Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Csaba Csetneki: Mayor’s Office of Újszentmargita, 4065 Újszentmargita, Hungary

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: Energy poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that impairs access to basic energy services and threatens social well-being, particularly in disadvantaged rural communities. This study investigates the extent and drivers of household energy poverty in a Hungarian village through a survey-based analysis (N = 257) conducted in early 2025. The sample is not nationally representative, however, it reflects approximately 20% of the total village population (1331 inhabitants). This study aims to identify vulnerable household profiles, explore correlations between socio-economic and housing factors and perceived thermal comfort, and compare the effectiveness of multiple measurement indicators the 10% rule, low income high cost, 2M, and M/2. We employ descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Fuzzy C-Means clustering, and linear regression, revealing that over half of the sample is energy poor according to the 10% rule, while the LIHC method identifies 29%. Our regression results confirm that cluster membership significantly influences perceived comfort levels (R 2 = 0.063, p = 0.002). We conclude that single-indicator approaches are insufficient to capture the nuanced realities of rural energy poverty, therefore, we recommend the development of a rural energy poverty index. Such a tool could help identify affected households and support the formulation of context-sensitive, evidence-based energy and social policy interventions.

Keywords: energy poverty; fuel poverty; household energy poverty; Hungary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4287-:d:1722599

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