10/11/2026
In 2000, about 1.3 billion people worldwide had no access to electricity. Today, that number has dropped to around 675 million.
If that sounds like a small change, consider this: every day since 2000, roughly 334,000 people have gained access to electricity. That’s like adding the population of a small country every year.
For the first time, hundreds of thousands of people now have light to read by after dark, a way to charge their phones, and the ability to refrigerate food every single day.
You probably won’t hear this on the evening news. Instead, headlines focus on crime, conflict, and problems. The positive stories rarely get attention.
But this progress matters, not just for those gaining electricity, but also for investors.
Access to electricity fuels healthier, more connected, and more productive communities worldwide. The companies you invest in serve this growing, improving global population.
When the future feels uncertain, remember the data: progress is happening, quietly and steadily, amidst the noise.
Explore the facts here: https://ourworldindata.org/energy-access