Household energy deprivation and inequality in school enrolment: evidence from Burkina Faso

This article analyses the effect of multidimensional energy deprivation on inequalities in schooling in Burkina Faso. A Poisson model based on instrumental variable techniques was used on a sample of 11,427 individuals. The data used come from the Continuous Multisectoral Survey on Household Living Conditions in Burkina Faso (CMS, 2014). The results indicate a high incidence and intensity of multidimensional energy deprivation in Burkina Faso. Lack of access to modern cooking fuels was the main cause of household energy deprivation. In addition, the results show that these multidimensional energy deprivations have a greater negative impact on girls’ school attendance than on that of boys. These results highlight the importance of taking into account the multidimensional energy deprivation faced by households in school enrolment policies and in reducing inequalities in children’s access to education.