UN report finds 655 million people still lack electricity worldwide

A United Nations report released on 25 June says about 655 million people – roughly 8 % of the global population – live without access to electricity. The majority are in sub‑Saharan Africa, where more than 560 million people are unelectrified and around 90 million lack clean cooking facilities. The same SDG 7 progress brief notes that 1.8 billion people still rely on polluting fuels for cooking, posing health risks.

The report warns that without tripling the pace of electrification in sub‑Saharan Africa, the goal of universal electricity access by 2030 will be missed. It highlights encouraging trends, such as renewable energy now providing over 30 % of global electricity demand, but stresses the need for stronger political leadership, coordinated investment and diversified energy mixes. UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Junhua said, "We have seen encouraging progress, but millions still lack energy services, underscoring that the ambition of SDG 7 is not being met and inequalities remain high. This is an opportunity to accelerate clean‑energy transition with greater international support and investment."