Comparability — Argentina [top]

The samples both identify households with generators, which are coded as having electricity.

Comparability — Armenia [top]

The census question concerned the main source of lighting in the dwelling. Lighting from other sources is coded as "No".

Comparability — Bangladesh [top]

The census questions ask simply whether the dwelling had an electricity connection. In the 1991 sample, the census question was asked to all households. In subsequent censuses, the question was asked only to permanent households.

Comparability — Benin [top]

The census question asked about the source of lighting of the household. Enumeration instructions indicate to not trust the presence of electric outlets, as these may not receive electricity. Lighting from sources different than electricity is coded as "No".

The 2002 and 2013 samples include electricity of alternative sources (public utility, communal generator, private generator, and solar energy), which are all coded as "Yes".

Comparability — Bolivia [top]

The census questions in 1976 and 1992 asked simply whether the dwelling had electricity, while the 2001 census question concerned the use of electricity for lighting. The 2012 sample provides more detailed categories that record the source of electricity.

Comparability — Botswana [top]

The census question in all samples concerned the main source of lighting. Lighting from solar power is coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Brazil [top]

The electricity question in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 asked about the presence of electric lighting in the household, whether or not it was connected to a general system. The census question in 2010 asked whether the dwelling had an electricity connection.

Comparability — Burkina Faso [top]

The census question concerned the main source of lighting in the dwelling. Lighting from other sources is coded as "No".

Comparability — Cambodia [top]

For all samples the census question was about the main source of light in the household. "Battery" power is coded "No" for having electricity.

Comparability — Cameroon [top]

The census question concerned the main source of lighting in the dwelling. Lighting from other sources is coded as "No".

Comparability — Chile [top]

1960 is a sample of individuals, not households. Only persons who were heads of households get a response for most household variables.

Comparability — Costa Rica [top]

All samples refer to type of lighting. The 2011 sample distinguishes several categories of public electricity providers. See the unharmonized source variable for more detail.

Comparability — Cuba [top]

In the 2002 and 2012 samples, the census question refers to the use of electricity for lighting. The universe and categories are comparable across samples.

Comparability — Côte d'Ivoire [top]

In 1988 and 1998, the census question was about the main source of light in the household.

Comparability — Dominican Republic [top]

All samples refer to electricity used for lighting and include all electric sources such as public electricity and generators. Non-electric sources of lighting such as lamps are identified in the unharmonized source variable. The 1981 sample also includes combinations of public systems (CDE), private systems, and private generators as possible sources of electricity.

Comparability — Ecuador [top]

1962 is a sample of individuals, not households. Only persons who were heads of households get a response for most household variables.

Comparability — Egypt [top]

The census question concerned the use of electricity for lighting. All households were asked this question in 1986 and 1996, while only private households in 2006. The 2006 census explicitly refers to electricity from the public network, the "No" category may include private electric generators.

Comparability — El Salvador [top]

In both samples the census question pertained to electricity used for lighting. Private generators were included. In the 2007 sample, "Solar panels" is a listed option and is coded as "Yes".

Comparability — Ethiopia [top]

All samples refer to type of lighting and all explicitly differentiate between private meter and shared meter electricity. See the unharmonized source variables for more detail. The 1984 and 1994 universes are for only urban households.

In the 2007 sample, both "Electricity from generator" and "Solar energy" are coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Fiji [top]

The census questions in 1986 and 1996 asked simply whether the dwelling had electricity. The 2007 and 2014 census identify the electricity suppliers (in the source variable).

Comparability — France [top]

The census question asked whether the household was connected to the electrical distribution network. It is possible that some households coded "No" could generate their own electricity.

In 2006 and 2011 information about electricity was only collected for regular households in overseas departments and is not included in this variable. See the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Ghana [top]

The samples refer to type of lighting. In the 2000 sample, lighting from solar energy is coded as "Yes." Lighting from kerosene, butane or any other source is coded as "No." In the 2010 sample, electricity from the mains, private generators, or solar panels are coded as "Yes". Other sources of lighting such as kerosene, firewood, flashlights, etc. are coded as "No".

Comparability — Guatemala [top]

The census question for all samples refers to the type of lighting available for the household. In 1981 and 1994, the questionnaire also asked whether the dwelling is connected to the electrical distribution system. Responses referring both to electricity as the type of lightning or whether the household is connected to the electrical distribution system are coded as "Yes".

Comparability — Guinea [top]

The census questions in both samples refer to type of lighting.

Comparability — Haiti [top]

The census question concerned the main source of lighting in the dwelling. Lighting from other sources is coded as "No." In the 1982 sample, the census question was asked to the occupied households in the communes of Port-au-Prince and Croix des Bouquets. In the 1971 and 2003 censuses, the question was asked to all households.

Comparability — Honduras [top]

The census question refers to type of lighting. Lighting from other sources is coded as "No". The 1988 and 2001 samples consider various types of electricity sources (public system, private system, generator, and solar panels), which are all coded as "Yes".

The 1961 sample only has information for households consisting of a head.

Comparability — Hungary [top]

The census question concerned the use of electricity for lighting.

Comparability — Indonesia [top]

In all samples, the census question pertained to electricity used for lighting. Any type of electricity (public, private, generator) was explicitly included. The unharmonized source variable for the 2010 sample retains detail on electricity with/without meter and non-public electricity.

Comparability — Iran [top]

The census question pertains to the existence of electricity in the household and explicitly does not include private generators.

Comparability — Ireland [top]

The variable is only available for the 1971 census and is concerned with electricity used for lighting in the household.

Comparability — Israel [top]

A very large proportion of households do not have a response. The respondents may not be representative.

Comparability — Jamaica [top]

All samples are concerned with electricity for lighting. In the 1982 sample, the census question was asked to all households. In subsequent censuses, the question was asked only to private households.

Comparability — Jordan [top]

The sample refers to the source of lighting. Lighting from private generators is coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Kenya [top]

In the 1989 and 1999 samples, the presence of electricity was inferred from a response indicating electricity as either the source of lighting or cooking fuel in the dwelling. These were separate questions on the census form. In the 2009 sample, the sole census question was about the main source of lighting fuel in the household. Lighting not from electricity is coded as "No".

Comparability — Kyrgyzstan [top]

The census question was simply whether the dwelling had electricity.

Comparability — Laos [top]

In 1995-2015, responses indicating "car battery" or "batteries" are considered "No" for having electricity.

Comparability — Lesotho [top]

The census question refers to the source or fuel of lighting, where sources different from electricity are coded as "No".

The 2006 sample identifies different electricity sources: public system, generator, and solar panels are coded as "Yes", while electricity from a battery is coded as "No".

Comparability — Liberia [top]

The census question refers to main source of fuel for lighting. Lighting from an electric power supplier or generator was coded as "Yes".

Comparability — Malawi [top]

The variable is available in the 1998 and 2008 samples. In both censuses the question addressed electricity for lighting the household. In the 1998 census, the question was asked of multiple dwellings occupied by the household; only the response for the first dwelling is included in this variable.

Comparability — Malaysia [top]

The 1990 sample referred to the type of lighting. The 2000 sample asked about electricity supply. In this sample, self-generated electricity is coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Mali [top]

The census questions for all samples refer to the use of electricity for lighting. Public systems, generators, and solar panels are electric sources of lighting. Any source of lighting that was not electric (such as gas or oil lamps) were coded as "No".

For the 2009 sample "Rural electrification or multifunction platform" is a source of lighting by battery systems, electric wires, and generators and is coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Mexico [top]

The Mexico 1970-2010 samples refer to electricity used for lighting, regardless of whether the source was public distribution, battery, solar power, etc. If the service was temporarily suspended or unavailable, the household is still classified as having electricity.

The 2015 and 2020 census question asked whether the dwelling had electricity and whether the dwelling had solar panels. These are two separate questions and the data can be found in the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Mongolia [top]

The census questions (for regular dwellings and gers) simply asked whether the dwelling had electricity.

Comparability — Morocco [top]

The 1982 sample includes public and private (generator) electricity, whereas in 1994 and 2004 the question specifies electricity supplied by the public utility. The 2014 sample refers to the lighting method in all households, including generator and solar energy.

There are separate questions in the 2004 sample pertaining to solar power and generators used for lighting. These data can be found in the unharmonized source variables, and are unrelated to this variable on public utility-supplied electricity.

Comparability — Mozambique [top]

The 1997 sample refers to electricity used for lighting. The 2007 sample refers to the type of lighting, and "Generator or solar panels" are coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Myanmar [top]

The 2014 census questions refers to the type of lightning in conventional households, including generators and solar energy.

Comparability — Nepal [top]

The census question refers to the main source of fuel for lighting.

Comparability — Nicaragua [top]

In all samples, the census questions pertained to electricity used for lighting. All sources of electricity, including electric generators and solar panels, were included. The unharmonized source variables for the 1971 and 2005 samples retain detail on the type of electricity.

Comparability — Pakistan [top]

The census question refers to the use of electricity for lighting.

Comparability — Palestine [top]

In both samples access to electricity explicitly includes private generators. In the 2007 sample, the universe excludes some households.

Comparability — Panama [top]

The samples refer to type of lighting. Lighting from private electrical generators is coded as "Yes."

Comparability — Papua New Guinea [top]

The 1990 census question refers to the lighting source of the household. Lighting from electricity is coded as "Yes".

Comparability — Paraguay [top]

The 1992 sample refers to the type of lighting. In this sample any type of lighting that is not powered by electricity is coded as "No". The 1972, 1982 and 2002 samples explicitly ask about the use of electricity for lighting.

Comparability — Philippines [top]

In each sample the census question was about the main source of light in the household.

Comparability — Portugal [top]

In all years, access to electricity includes public or private networks, including private generators.

Comparability — Puerto Rico [top]

The census questions refer to the use of electricity for lighting.

Comparability — Romania [top]

The census question was simply whether the housing unit had electricity.

Comparability — Rwanda [top]

The census question concerns the main source (fuel) for lighting. Electricity from solar, hydroelectric, and fuel-powered generators is coded as "Yes" in the 2002 and 2012 samples.

Comparability — Saint Lucia [top]

The census questions refer to the use of electricity for lighting.

Comparability — Senegal [top]

The census questions refer to the primary source of electricity used for lighting. Electricity from generators and solar power are coded as "yes" in the 2002 and 2013 samples.

Comparability — Sierra Leone [top]

Electricity pertains to the main source of light for the household and explicitly includes generators. Solar power is also identified in 2015.

Comparability — South Africa [top]

The census question in 1996-2011 samples refers to the source of lighting. The 2016 sample refers more generally to the type of electricity access. Lighting from solar power is coded as "yes."

Comparability — South Sudan [top]

Electricity refers to the source of lighting and explicitly includes private generators and solar power.

Comparability — Sudan [top]

Electricity refers to the source of lighting and explicitly includes private generators and solar power.

Comparability — Suriname [top]

In 2012, electricity refers to the source of lighting and explicitly includes private generators.

Comparability — Tanzania [top]

The census questions in 1988 and 2002 simply ask whether the dwelling had electricity. The census question referred to electricity for lighting in 2012.

Comparability — Thailand [top]

Census questions refer to the use of electricity for lighting. The universe for 1970 differs from the other years and includes private households from all urban areas and from a sample of rural areas.

Comparability — Togo [top]

Electricity refers to the source of lighting in all samples. In 2010, "Other" sources of lighting are coded as "No."

Comparability — Trinidad and Tobago [top]

Electricity refers to the source of lighting in all samples. "Other" sources of lighting are coded as "No."

Comparability — Uganda [top]

In 1991, 2002, and 2014 samples, the census question was about the main source of lighting in the household.

Comparability — Uruguay [top]

In all samples, the census questions pertained to electricity used for lighting, and include all electric sources such as public, generator, solar-powered battery, etc.

In the 1985, 1996 and 2011 samples, separate questions were asked about having electricity from the public utility, a battery charger, an own generator, or another source. All these sources were coded as "Yes". However, the 1985 sample does not identify battery chargers.

Comparability — Venezuela [top]

The 1970 and 1981 samples refer to type of lighting, including lighting from electrical generators. The 1990 sample is explicitly only about access to the public electrical service. The 2001 sample indicates access to either public or private electrical service.
The 2001 sample asked about electrical service in the household only.

Comparability — Vietnam [top]

In all years the census question pertained to electricity used for lighting. Many households in the 1989 sample lack dwelling information, including all households in some provinces.

Comparability — Zambia [top]

The 1990 and 2010 samples refer to electricity used for lighting. Electricity and solar energy is coded as "Yes". Any source of fuel for lighting that is not electric is coded as "No. "

The 2000 sample asks simply whether or not the household has electricity, and does not specify what the electricity is used for.

Comparability — Zimbabwe [top]

The census question asked whether the household has electricity.