1 in 12 children growing up in energy poverty

Energy poverty hits children twice as hard

Energy poverty is typically measured at the household level, but this report emphasises the individual experience of children. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold, damp, and poorly insulated homes. International literature shows they are more likely to suffer from asthma, malnutrition, mental health issues, and poorer school performance.

'If a child has to wait five years for a healthy home, this can have consequences for the rest of their life,' say TNO researchers Thomas Schuurman Hess and Arianne van der Wal.

In households experiencing energy poverty, an average of 6.6% of income is spent on energy, compared with 3.7% in other households. For low-income households with high energy bills, this rises to 13.1%. This leaves less money for food, sports, clothing, and school supplies.

Who are these children?

The study shows that children living in energy poverty often grow up in:

• Single-parent households with a young, female primary earner
• Families with a first-generation migration background
• Social rental housing of low energy quality
• Border provinces such as Groningen and Limburg, as well as the Randstad

The average disposable income in these households is €28,388, compared with €42,491 for families not experiencing energy poverty.

Health and school performance under pressure

Children in energy-poor households face an increased risk of:

• Respiratory illnesses such as asthma
• Mental health problems including stress, low mood, and sleep difficulties
• Learning delays due to an uncomfortable home environment

'Children growing up in energy poverty are twice as likely to develop asthma and face an increased risk of a poverty trap,' the report states. 'In other words, the setbacks they experience now can have a lasting impact on their chances of a healthy and stable life.'

Effect of energy cost compensation

Measures to compensate energy costs have had a temporary effect on the number of children living in energy poverty. Without this compensation, more municipalities would have had over 10% of children in energy poverty. Provinces such as Friesland, Limburg, Gelderland, Overijssel, and North Brabant are experiencing significant increases.

Recommendations from TNO

TNO makes three concrete recommendations:

• Strengthen energy poverty policy with explicit attention to children. Energy poverty policy should consider children’s living environment and their right to a healthy indoor climate.
• Connect child poverty and energy poverty in policy. Combine income support with housing improvements and targeted energy provisions for families with children.
• Target vulnerable groups. Focus policy on households where children face the greatest risk, such as young single-parent households in social rental housing.

About the research

The report 'Children in Energy Poverty' (pdf) is part of the National Research Programme on Energy Poverty, carried out by TNO in collaboration with CBS, RVO, VNG, and various ministries and provinces. The study is based on a literature review and data exploration of energy poverty indicators for the period 2019–2024.

More information can be found on the website Energy.nl (Dutch).