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Millions Could Spend Half Their Income on Food by 2050, Scientists Warn
Confirmed
In Short: By 2050, millions of the world's poorest people could be spending around half their income on food alone, according to new projections.
Scientists warn that by 2050, millions of the world's poorest people could be spending around half their income on food alone, according to new projections. This comes as a study shows that resource security, including food, energy, and water, is influenced by income subgroups, with lower-income groups facing much worse potential insecurity.
The study, led by Gi Joo Kim from Tulane University, uses a model that operates across 32 geopolitical regions, dividing populations into 10 income subgroups. The results show that regions in Africa and India are projected to experience the highest food burden, with the poorest 10 percent in Western, Eastern, and Southern Africa expected to spend close to 50 percent of their income on food.
The researchers found that income disparities exist widely across the spectrum of resource security. For many people around the world, putting food on the table isn't an easy thing, and the price hikes and pressure points go far beyond food. The study highlights the need for joint assessments of multiple resources rather than focusing on single topics in isolation.
First author and environmental engineer Gi Joo Kim notes, 'This study shows that there is no single driver of future food, energy, and water insecurity.' The projections suggest that resource security is a complex issue, with income subgroups playing a significant role in determining people's future resource security.
What's confirmed
- Scientists warn that by 2050, millions of the world's poorest people could be spending around half their income on food alone, according to new projections. This comes as a study shows that resource security, including food, energy, and water, is influenced by income subgroups, with lower-income groups facing much worse potential insecurity.
- The study, led by Gi Joo Kim from Tulane University, uses a model that operates across 32 geopolitical regions, dividing populations into 10 income subgroups. The results show that regions in Africa and India are projected to experience the highest food burden, with the poorest 10 percent in Western, Eastern, and Southern Africa expected to spend close to 50 percent of their income on food.
- The researchers found that income disparities exist widely across the spectrum of resource security. For many people around the world, putting food on the table isn't an easy thing, and the price hikes and pressure points go far beyond food. The study highlights the need for joint assessments of multiple resources rather than focusing on single topics in isolation.
- First author and environmental engineer Gi Joo Kim notes, 'This study shows that there is no single driver of future food, energy, and water insecurity.' The projections suggest that resource security is a complex issue, with income subgroups playing a significant role in determining people's future resource security.
What's still developing
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