An assessment of electricity and income distributional trends following rural electrification in poor northeast Brazil

► Comprehensive analysis of Brazil's recent rural electrification efforts. ► New methodology to analyze energy and income equity trends ex post electrification. ► Analysis indicates immediate social benefits for electrified households. ► We cannot establish a direct link between electricity use and income in the short-run. ► Electrification thus should be integrated in long-term rural development strategies.