Equity Achieving an equitable energy transition is critical for sustainable socioeconomic growth. To realize this, it’s crucial to secure affordable, reliable and clean energy access for all while ensuring that benefits and costs are fairly distributed. The ETI’s equity dimension assesses energy system performance in terms of access, affordability and its role in economic development. Equity over the past 10 years Over the past 10 years, the equity dimension saw a modest net improvement of 1.5%, with a mixed performance across the decade (Figure 7): –Between 2016 and 2021, equity improved gradually, reaching its peak in 2021, driven by expanded access to electricity and clean cooking technologies. –This was followed by a decline from 2022 to 2024 caused by global energy price shocks and inflationary pressures, which pushed equity scores downwards. –In 2025, scores rebounded by 2.2%, reflecting easing energy prices and improved affordability, although equity remained slightly below the 2021 high. Despite the recent recovery, the underlying indicators revealed persistent challenges: –Energy prices (household and industrial) showed high volatility, limiting long-term equity gains. –Gains in clean energy access continue, but are incremental rather than transformational. Equity scores in 2025 The equity dimension recorded its strongest annual score improvement in the past decade in 2025 (+2.2%), driven by falling gas prices, reduced subsidies, greater energy self-sufficiency and tech- enabled efficiency gains. Future progress hinges on grid reliability, pricing reforms and low-carbon technology exports more than new connections, although some countries and regions still have major energy access challenges. Rural access scores improved by 0.4%, yet regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia continued to face major infrastructure and equity barriers, slowing momentum towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.1, which calls for universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.41 Clean cooking fuel access scores rose (+0.5%) as biomass reliance declined – improving health outcomes in rural areas. Yet, scaling this transition requires more than infrastructure. Social inclusion, consumer awareness and financing tools are essential to sustaining progress. Energy prices exhibited notable fluctuations – average scores for household electricity costs rose by 0.5%, while industrial prices increased by 2.6%, indicating declining costs. The US experienced significant drops in wholesale prices due to greater reliance on renewables and energy storage,42 while European prices reached a three-year low.43 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 202564.565.065.566.0 64.066.567.067.568.0Dimension score (0-100) 64.767.0 66.166.7 66.5 66.3 66.166.064.865.1Equity dimension trend, 2016-2025 FIGURE 7 Source: World Economic Forum. Achieving an equitable energy transition relies on securing affordable, reliable and clean energy access for all. Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2025 26