Affordability of a healthy diet: ratio of cost to food expenditures

Definition

Ratio of the cost of a healthy diet to total food expenditure per capita per day from national accounts. Data available for 2017.

Relevance

Shows the cost of the lowest cost set of foods that would meet requirements for food-based dietary guidelines, in comparison to total food budget. As the ratio approaches 1, the more unaffordable the healthy diet. As the ratio approaches 0, the more affordable the healthy diet.

Additional Information

Herforth, A., Venkat, A., Bai, Y., Costlow, L., Holleman, C. & Masters, W.A. 2022. Methods and options to monitor the cost and affordability of a healthy diet globally. Background paper for The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022. FAO Agricultural Development Economics Working Paper 22-03. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc1169en