The moderating role of remittances in the energy security-poverty nexus in developing countries

Abstract

Even though the existing studies have been investigating the impact of poverty on energy security, the literature overlooks the moderating mechanism of the energy security-poverty nexus. This study examines the role of remittances in moderating the energy security-poverty nexus in 50 developing countries from 2014 to 2020 to fill these gaps. Applying the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), the results provide supportive evidence that remittances play a role in mitigating the negative impact of poverty on energy security. The negative effect of three poverty levels, namely incomes of $1.90 per day, $3.20 per day, and $5.50 per day, declines as a country's remittance level rises. As a result, this study justifies the need to promote more inflow of remittances, which will reduce poverty levels, increase energy access, and contribute to energy security.