Asia faces challenge to provide power to millions

Around 526 million of the world population without access to electricity can be found in Asia, with India having the biggest chunk at 237 million, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) compiled by the Asia News Network.

But when compared relatively to the size of its population, India’s electrification rate was at 81 percent, higher compared to other countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

According to IEA data, the Philippines has 21 million people without access to electricity, which constitutes around 21 percent of the country’s population.

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Indonesia have 60 million, 50 million, and 49 million people respectively without access to electricity.

China, Thailand, Laos and Sri Lanka have been moderately successful in providing access to power to their citizens, with each country just having one million people without access to electricity.

A total of 1.3 billion people in the world have no access to electricity according to the IEA. YG/JE/rga

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