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Covid-19 lockdown, gender and income dynamics in household energy consumption: evidence from Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Shigeru Matsumoto

    (Aoyama Gakuin University)

  • Viet-Ngu Hoang

    (Queensland University of Technology
    Vietnam National University)

  • Clevo Wilson

    (Queensland University of Technology)

Abstract

Residential electricity consumption and time spent at home by household members increased while household income decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Using survey data of Japanese households purchasing electricity from the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, before and during the pandemic, we examine the various dynamics at play involving income, increased time spent at home by both partners and the role of genders in energy consumption. Results show a positive relationship between changes in electricity consumption and changes in household income, suggesting that households reduced their electricity usage following a decrease in income. Interestingly, the results also show that consumption changes are positively correlated to changes in hours spent at home by working husbands but negatively correlated to changes in the hours spent at home by working wives.

Suggested Citation

  • Shigeru Matsumoto & Viet-Ngu Hoang & Clevo Wilson, 2024. "Covid-19 lockdown, gender and income dynamics in household energy consumption: evidence from Japan," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 67(4), pages 1473-1496, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:67:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s00181-024-02593-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-024-02593-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Tjørring, Lise & Jensen, Carsten Lynge & Hansen, Lars Gårn & Andersen, Laura Mørch, 2018. "Increasing the flexibility of electricity consumption in private households: Does gender matter?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 9-18.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Change in home hours; COVID-19; Household electricity consumption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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