Energy Consumption and Health Outcomes in Economic Development

Energy consumption underpins economic growth and shapes population health through its influence on environmental quality, public infrastructure and access to essential services. Reliance on fossil fuels has historically driven industrialisation and improvements in living standards, yet it has come at the cost of air pollution, greenhouse-gas emissions and associated morbidity and mortality. Transitioning to renewable sources offers the prospect of decoupling growth from environmental harm and realising health gains by reducing exposure to toxic by-products of combustion. Life expectancy, a key indicator of societal well-being, is sensitive to changes in energy mix, air quality and health-care investment. As economies develop, shifts in energy policy, urbanisation patterns and income distribution mediate the balance between economic advancement and public health. Emerging evidence highlights threshold effects in which the health benefits of cleaner energy become increasingly pronounced once per-capita income surpasses certain levels, while persistent inequalities may amplify vulnerability to pollution. Understanding these dynamics is vital for designing integrated policies that foster sustainable development, maximise healthy lifespan and ensure equitable health outcomes across income groups.

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Energy Consumption and Health Outcomes in Economic Development publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in energy consumption and health outcomes in economic development across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Life expectancy: The average number of years that a newborn is expected to live, based on current mortality rates.

Renewable energy consumption: The use of energy derived from sources that naturally replenish, such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass.

Carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂): The release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Particulate matter (PM₂.₅): Fine inhalable particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular illness.

References

1. Does renewable energy help increase life expectancy? Insight from the linking renewable energy, economic growth, and life expectancy in 121 countries. Energy Strategy Reviews (2023).
2. Pollution from Fossil-Fuel Combustion is the Leading Environmental Threat to Global Pediatric Health and Equity: Solutions Exist. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2017).
3. Evaluating the Influences of Health Expenditure, Energy Consumption, and Environmental Pollution on Life Expectancy in Asia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).