Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development: Guidelines and Methodologies International Atomic Energy Agency United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs International Energy Agency Eurostat European Environment Agency

(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: This indicator provides information about 
different levels of energy use and changes in fuel mix in relation to income level. 
Energy use per household represents final energy use including traditional or non-
commercial fuel. If data are available only on household energy fuel expenditures, 
then the corresponding fuel prices are necessary to compute the amount of energy 
used. Household income, by income group in quintiles, corresponds to the distribution 
of income available for most countries. Each distribution is based on percentiles of 
population — rather than on households — with households ranked by income or 
expenditure per person. The values of the disposable income per capita and consumer 
prices by commodity should be in national currencies. 
(b) Measuring Methods: This indicator reflects energy use by fuel mix (in energy 
units) relative to income level. If energy prices are needed, price data must refer to a 
fixed date. Overall energy use can be computed by converting fuel energy use to a 
single energy unit (e.g. toe). Also, energy use can be presented by fuel type using 
different energy units (e.g. heating and cooking fuel in toe and electricity in kWh). 
(c) Limitations of the Indicators: Availability of data for a number of developing 
countries may be a limitation. 
(d) Alternative Definitions/Indicators: None. 
ASSESSMENT OF DATA 
(a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator: Energy use according to household 
income group per fuel type. If data are available only on household energy fuel 
expenditures, then the corresponding fuel prices are necessary. 
(b) National and International Data Availability and Sources: The most important 
source of data on disposable income is household surveys. The results of these 
surveys can be obtained from government statistical agencies, often via published 
reports. About two-thirds of the developing
 
countries have done sample household 
surveys that are representative nationally, and some of these provide high-quality data 
on living standards. 
Data can also be obtained from international agencies such as the World Bank. The 
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also carries out its own surveys of 
households. Data for developed countries can be obtained from Eurostat and the 

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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Data from the 
European Community Household Panel are currently available for 1995 and 1996. 
Data on energy prices are available from national sources and are compiled by the 
International Energy Agency (IEA) for OECD and non-OECD countries.