Lanterns are the easiest form of light if you lack access to electricity for any reason.  Candles work well indoors, but have a smaller light radius and are very susceptible to environmental factors such as wind and rain.    Coming in at number 18, there is a significant scarcity factor.   In general light is more effective when elevated.  A lantern mantle allows permanent to semi-permanent light fixtures to be emplaced.  Prior to the advances of Edison and Tesla, all lighting was done with lanterns.  The electrical infrastructure in most places is susceptable to wind storms and requires a high degree of maintenance.   Many power plants rely on other industries to supply their operational fuel source.  More advanced systems rely on being able to pay their workers, so they show up to do maintenance.  Electricity is conducted over copper lines in many areas.  Copper is valuable and susceptable to being ravaged for the raw material value in times of turmoil.  

In the wilderness there is no power except what you bring with you, a lantern can provide illumination while walking at night.   And yes, you will walk at night, if only to relieve yourself.    Night time in the woods without light is spooky and potentially dangerous as the landscape is uneven and probably unfamiliar.  Other terrain offers different challenges.   Regardless a lantern or a convenient place to secure one is often a nice thing to have.

Experiences from Sarajevo show that they are clearly a demand item with utility value and will be snapped up in droves, along with any accessories as soon as the potential to get more delivered is compromised in any way.