Energy News
ENERGY NEWS
The refrigerator as an indicator of societal progress
illustration only
The refrigerator as an indicator of societal progress
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 11, 2024

To gauge a country's development accurately, it's essential to consider the items found in homes, argue economists Rutger Schilpzand and Jeroen Smits from Radboud University. While research on low- and middle-income nations often centers on income, health, or education, these factors alone don't provide a full picture.

"This is why, for the first time, we're charting the development of household material wealth," Schilpzand notes. The economists term this progression the 'domestic transition'. Their findings were published in the Journal of International Development.

In affluent nations today, daily life without refrigerators, televisions, or washing machines seems almost unimaginable. Yet before 1960, few homes had these appliances. By the mid-1970s, however, such items were common in nearly every household. This evolution from minimal ownership to near-universal possession is what the researchers describe as the 'domestic transition'. Their study outlines how this trend unfolds in developing countries and identifies the factors influencing the pace of this transition.

Improving daily living standards
In wealthier countries, household appliances symbolize the fundamental conditions for a decent living standard. "Almost every household that can afford these items ends up purchasing them," Smits states.

"It's not surprising given that behind the picturesque scenes of market vendors or women washing clothes in rivers lies a significant burden of time and effort, primarily borne by housewives." Schilpzand agrees, adding, "Owning appliances like refrigerators or washing machines reduces this workload and allows time to be used more productively. Thus, the domestic transition is key to enhancing the role of women worldwide."

Stages and pace of progress
While developed nations completed the domestic transition decades ago, many developing areas are only just beginning or are in the midst of this process. The researchers aimed to determine if emerging nations mirror the trajectory seen in Western countries during their period of mass adoption: a slow initial phase, followed by rapid uptake, and then stabilization. To explore this, they assessed the ownership of televisions and refrigerators across 1,342 regions in 88 low- and middle-income countries.

The findings showed that the domestic transition in these regions follows a pattern similar to that in the West. However, significant differences were noted between and within countries regarding how far along they were and the speed of their progress.

"In places like China and Mexico, the transition is largely complete, while in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, it's barely begun, as basic needs such as food and shelter must first be addressed before household appliances can be prioritized," Smits explains.

Influencing factors
Data indicates that the transition advances sooner and more quickly in urban areas. Regions with stronger economic growth and higher education levels see faster progress. Additionally, a balanced ratio of working-age individuals to dependents also accelerates this development.

"Our study has provided valuable insights into the living conditions of households in developing countries, what is necessary to achieve a reasonable standard of living, and how rapidly this can be accomplished," Schilpzand concludes.

Research Report:The Domestic Transition: Progress Towards Decent Living of Households in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Related Links
Radboud University Nijmegen

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ENERGY NEWS
France, Barbados, Kenya urge global levies to tackle climate change
Paris (AFP) Nov 8, 2024
The leaders of France, Barbados and Kenya on Friday urged more worldwide tax on carbon dioxide emissions in areas such as global shipping to help developing countries battle climate change. France's Emmanuel Macron, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Kenya's President William Ruto suggested more "solidarity levies" ahead of the UN climate conference starting Monday in Azerbaijan. Nearly 200 countries are supposed to agree at COP29 how much money should flow every year from rich nations to p ... read more

ENERGY NEWS
The refrigerator as an indicator of societal progress

Climate 'financing gap' is widening: ECB chief

Preparing Taiwan for a decarbonized economy

World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing

ENERGY NEWS
NASA opens Power Systems essay contest for K12 students

Tackling the energy revolution, one sector at a time

In search of high-performance materials for fusion reactors

Texas A&M to train machine learning tools to design materials for fusion power plants

ENERGY NEWS
Sweden blocks 13 offshore wind farms over defence concerns

Sweden's defence concerned by planned offshore wind power

On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument

Renewables revolt in Sardinia, Italy's coal-fired island

ENERGY NEWS
'Solar Great Wall' aims to power Beijing and curb desertification by 2030

KAIST researchers improve hybrid perovskite solar cells with enhanced infrared capture

Investigating limitations in new materials for perovskite solar cells

High renewable energy penetration reduces blackout impact

ENERGY NEWS
Framatome and Nuclearelectrica partner to produce Lutetium-177 in Romania

Nuclear energy gains importance in Europe's green energy plans

Climate cash should also go to nuclear, says UN atomic chief

Framatome opens new Italian offices to bolster European nuclear energy growth

ENERGY NEWS
Sacred cow: coal-hungry India eyes bioenergy to cut carbon

Waste heat from London sewers eyed to warm UK parliament

Bio-based fibers may have greater environmental impact than traditional plastics

Cobalt copper tandem catalysts transform CO2 into renewable ethanol

ENERGY NEWS
Environment groups lose appeal in Shell climate case in the Netherlands

Harnessing oil and gas windfall profits for climate funding

Court challenge begins against UK oil and gas field approvals

Leaders urge climate action - and defend fossil fuels - at COP29

ENERGY NEWS
Paris agreement climate goals 'in great peril', warns UN

COP29 talks stall from start with fight over agenda

UK to beef up its emissions cuts as it bids to be 'climate leader'

Nations to submit boosted climate plans: what's at stake?

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.