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

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.