Access to infrastructure services: Global trends and drivers. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Steckel, Jan Christoph; Rao, Narasimha D.; Jakob, Michael
• Is Part Of: Utilities policy. Volume 45(2017)
• Page Start: 109
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Infrastructure access -- Basic needs -- SDGs -- Fractional logit model -- Global panel data; Public utilities -- United States -- Periodicals; Public utilities -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2017.03.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-1787

Abstract

Abstract: Infrastructure services are essential to human development. Yet, the drivers of service access at a global scale remain largely unexplored. This paper presents trends and global patterns in access to water, sanitation, electricity, and telephony services. Using a panel data set from 1990 to 2010, we empirically explore plausible determinants of access rates to key infrastructure services. Although per-capita GDP is correlated with access rates, access still varies significantly at comparable income levels. Much of this variation is explained by differences in population density. Access levels are higher for urban areas and highest for water, followed by sanitation, electricity, and telephony. Highlights: Infrastructure access varies widely among countries with similar incomes. Infrastructure development appears to follow a sequence, led by water access. Urban and denser populations seem to get higher priority in terms of infrastructure access.