Food Expenditure vs GDP 2017

The ratio of food expenditure to GDP shows how much of a country's economic output is spent on food, reflecting economic structure.

104 data points••Global Coverage•Annual food expenditure vs. total consumer expenditure | Our World in Data•
Highest
China, Hong Kong SAR
4,635.2%
Lowest
Tanzania
197.8%
Median country
1,360.6%
Countries with data
104

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
4,635.2 %
2
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
3,840 %
3
Norway flag
Norway
3,576.5 %
4
Israel flag
Israel
3,501.6 %
5
Japan flag
Japan
3,304.7 %
6
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
3,286.9 %
7
Australia flag
Australia
3,016 %
8
Denmark flag
Denmark
3,004.2 %
9
Sweden flag
Sweden
2,878.2 %
10
Belgium flag
Belgium
2,834.2 %
11
Italy flag
Italy
2,806.6 %
12
France flag
France
2,786.4 %
13
Finland flag
Finland
2,736.7 %
14
Argentina flag
Argentina
2,715.9 %
15
United States flag
United States
2,548.3 %
16
Austria flag
Austria
2,434.6 %
17
Portugal flag
Portugal
2,428 %
18
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
2,416.5 %
19
Germany flag
Germany
2,379.6 %
20
Greece flag
Greece
2,333.4 %
21
Canada flag
Canada
2,291.3 %
22
Croatia flag
Croatia
2,290.4 %
23
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
2,269.2 %
24
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
2,187.2 %
25
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
2,109.1 %
26
Estonia flag
Estonia
2,069.7 %
27
Spain flag
Spain
2,059.5 %
28
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
2,059.3 %
29
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
2,038.2 %
30
Ireland flag
Ireland
1,972.9 %
31
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
1,896.4 %
32
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
1,889.4 %
33
Romania flag
Romania
1,842.3 %
34
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
1,841.3 %
35
South Korea flag
South Korea
1,832.1 %
36
Taiwan flag
Taiwan
1,791.3 %
37
Qatar flag
Qatar
1,762.1 %
38
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
1,724.8 %
39
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
1,655.2 %
40
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
1,648.7 %
41
Latvia flag
Latvia
1,648.6 %
42
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
1,610.7 %
43
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
1,601.9 %
44
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
1,592 %
45
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
1,576.3 %
46
Russia flag
Russia
1,548.3 %
47
Chile flag
Chile
1,521.1 %
48
Mexico flag
Mexico
1,452.9 %
49
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
1,450.7 %
50
Singapore flag
Singapore
1,443.5 %
51
Turkey flag
Turkey
1,389.2 %
52
Panama flag
Panama
1,378.3 %
53
Poland flag
Poland
1,342.9 %
54
Oman flag
Oman
1,336.6 %
55
Hungary flag
Hungary
1,306.8 %
56
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1,282.7 %
57
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
1,224.6 %
58
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
1,176.5 %
59
Peru flag
Peru
1,156.1 %
60
Angola flag
Angola
1,144.6 %
61
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
1,113.6 %
62
Serbia flag
Serbia
1,076.8 %
63
Jordan flag
Jordan
1,059.9 %
64
Belarus flag
Belarus
1,025.4 %
65
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
1,008.8 %
66
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
995.2 %
67
Brazil flag
Brazil
954.6 %
68
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
943.7 %
69
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
920.2 %
70
Philippines flag
Philippines
916.6 %
71
Thailand flag
Thailand
914.6 %
72
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
890.8 %
73
Georgia flag
Georgia
876.9 %
74
Laos flag
Laos
831.6 %
75
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
829.1 %
76
Colombia flag
Colombia
827.4 %
77
South Africa flag
South Africa
782.6 %
78
Iraq flag
Iraq
765.4 %
79
Iran flag
Iran
761.4 %
80
China flag
China
737 %
81
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
715.6 %
82
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
693.1 %
83
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
667.5 %
84
Algeria flag
Algeria
651.2 %
85
Morocco flag
Morocco
647.9 %
86
Kenya flag
Kenya
646.6 %
87
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
643.7 %
88
Honduras flag
Honduras
614.3 %
89
Egypt flag
Egypt
595.1 %
90
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
579.6 %
91
Ghana flag
Ghana
576.8 %
92
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
546.7 %
93
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
495.6 %
94
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
468.9 %
95
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
453.2 %
96
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
437.8 %
97
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
424.2 %
98
India flag
India
355.2 %
99
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
288.6 %
100
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
265.1 %
101
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
254.9 %
102
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
242.8 %
103
Uganda flag
Uganda
202.6 %
104
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
197.8 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1China, Hong Kong SAR flagChina, Hong Kong SAR
  2. #2Switzerland flagSwitzerland
  3. #3Norway flagNorway
  4. #4Israel flagIsrael
  5. #5Japan flagJapan
  6. #6New Zealand flagNew Zealand
  7. #7Australia flagAustralia
  8. #8Denmark flagDenmark
  9. #9Sweden flagSweden
  10. #10Belgium flagBelgium

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #104Tanzania flagTanzania
  2. #103Uganda flagUganda
  3. #102Uzbekistan flagUzbekistan
  4. #101Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  5. #100Turkmenistan flagTurkmenistan
  6. #99Venezuela flagVenezuela
  7. #98India flagIndia
  8. #97Côte d'Ivoire flagCôte d'Ivoire
  9. #96Myanmar flagMyanmar
  10. #95Cameroon flagCameroon

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Insights by country

1

Montenegro

In 2017, Montenegro ranked #44 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 1592 %. This figure is significantly higher than many countries, reflecting a strong dependence on food consumption relative to its economic output. Key drivers include Montenegro's reliance on tourism, which influences local food prices and consumption patterns, alongside a relatively small agricultural sector that struggles to meet domestic demand.

2

Argentina

In 2017, Argentina ranked #14 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2715.9 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong emphasis on food spending relative to its economic output. Contributing factors include Argentina's agricultural wealth, which drives both domestic consumption and export markets, alongside economic challenges that affect overall GDP growth and household spending patterns.

3

Georgia

In 2017, Georgia ranked #73 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP of 876.9 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating that a large portion of the country's economic resources is devoted to food spending.

The high percentage reflects Georgia's developing economy, where many households allocate substantial income to food due to lower average wages and a reliance on local agriculture. Additionally, the country's geographic diversity supports a variety of food production, further influencing consumer spending patterns.

4

Panama

In 2017, Panama ranked #52 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 1378.3 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong reliance on food expenditure relative to its economic output. Factors contributing to this high percentage include Panama's diverse agricultural sector and the impact of the Canal's economic activities, which influence local food prices and consumption patterns.

5

Uganda

In 2017, Uganda ranked #103 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 202.6 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating that Ugandans allocate a substantial portion of their income to food compared to many other nations. Contributing factors include a largely agrarian economy, where many households rely on subsistence farming, and a high prevalence of poverty, which limits disposable income for other expenditures.

6

Germany

In 2017, Germany ranked #19 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2379.6 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong consumer focus on food spending relative to the economy's overall size. Key drivers include Germany's robust agricultural sector and a high standard of living, which influences food quality and variety, as well as a cultural emphasis on food consumption and dining experiences.

7

Australia

In 2017, Australia ranked #7 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 3016 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong consumer focus on food spending relative to the economy's overall size. Contributing factors include Australia's high standard of living, diverse agricultural sector, and a robust food culture that prioritizes quality and variety.

8

Greece

In 2017, Greece ranked #20 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2333.4 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong emphasis on food spending relative to its economic output. Contributing factors include Greece's Mediterranean diet, which prioritizes fresh produce and local ingredients, and the impact of economic challenges that have led households to allocate a larger share of their budgets to food. Additionally, tourism plays a crucial role in shaping food consumption patterns, as it drives demand for local cuisine.

9

Austria

In 2017, Austria ranked #16 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2434.6 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting a strong emphasis on food quality and local agriculture. The country's robust economy, characterized by a high standard of living and a significant focus on culinary traditions, drives this high expenditure ratio.

10

Myanmar

In 2017, Myanmar ranked #96 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 437.8 %. This figure is significantly higher than many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, indicating a heavy reliance on food spending relative to its economic output. Contributing factors include widespread poverty, limited access to diverse food sources, and a predominantly rural population engaged in subsistence farming, which drives up food costs in relation to overall GDP.

Analysis & Context

In 2017, China, Hong Kong SAR led the world in the ratio of Food Expenditure vs GDP with a staggering value of 4635.20%, while the range of this metric spanned from a minimum of 197.80% in Tanzania to the maximum in Hong Kong. The global average was 1507.45%, with a median value of 1378.30%, highlighting significant disparities in how countries allocate their economic output towards food expenditure.

Economic Structure and Food Expenditure

The vast differences in the Food Expenditure vs GDP ratios across countries can largely be attributed to the underlying economic structures. Countries like Switzerland (3840%) and Norway (3576.5%) exhibit high ratios largely due to their affluent economies where a significant portion of disposable income is spent on high-quality food products. The elevated costs of living and premium pricing of goods in these countries contribute to such high percentages.

Conversely, in nations like Tanzania (197.8%) and Uganda (202.6%), the lower ratios reflect economies where a larger segment of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, resulting in a smaller proportion of GDP being spent on food purchases. These countries tend to have lower per capita incomes, which also influences the lower expenditure relative to GDP.

Urbanization and Its Impact

Urbanization plays a crucial role in shaping the Food Expenditure vs GDP metric. Highly urbanized nations such as Japan (3304.7%) and New Zealand (3286.9%) often show higher expenditure ratios due to increased demand for processed and imported foods, which are typically more expensive. Urban populations tend to consume more diverse diets that include convenience foods and dining out, further driving up food-related expenditure.

In contrast, less urbanized countries like Uzbekistan (242.8%) and Ethiopia (254.9%) have lower ratios. These countries rely heavily on locally sourced foods and traditional diets, which tend to be less costly and thus represent a smaller fraction of the GDP.

Policy and Cultural Factors

Government policies and cultural factors significantly influence the Food Expenditure vs GDP ratios. For instance, Israel (3501.6%) and Australia (3016%) have policies that support agricultural innovation and food security, which can lead to higher food prices and thus higher expenditure ratios. These countries also have cultural preferences for high-quality, often imported, food products, which further elevates the expenditure.

On the other hand, countries like India (355.2%) and Venezuela (288.6%) may have subsidies and price controls that keep food prices relatively low, thereby reducing the overall expenditure relative to GDP. Cultural norms in these regions often emphasize home-cooked meals with locally available ingredients, which are typically more cost-effective.

Global Disparities and Economic Implications

The disparities in Food Expenditure vs GDP ratios highlight the economic and social inequalities across different regions. The higher ratios in developed countries suggest a potential for economic resilience, as a larger share of economic output is allocated towards food, a basic necessity. However, it also indicates higher living costs and potential economic vulnerabilities tied to global food price fluctuations.

In developing countries, the lower ratios may reflect economic constraints but also suggest a potential for economic growth and increased food security as economies develop and incomes rise. The data underscores the importance of understanding local economic contexts when evaluating food expenditure metrics and their implications on global economic health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Expenditure vs GDP in 2017

Which country had the highest food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017?

China, Hong Kong SAR had the highest food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017, with a value of 4,635%.

Which country had the lowest food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017?

Tanzania had the lowest food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017, with a value of 198%.

What was the average food expenditure to GDP ratio across all countries in 2017?

The average food expenditure to GDP ratio across all countries in 2017 was 1,507%.

What was the median food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017?

The median food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017 was 1,361%.

Which countries were in the top 10 for food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017?

The top 10 countries for food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2017 were China, Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, Norway, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, and Belgium.

What was the range of food expenditure to GDP ratios in 2017?

In 2017, the range of food expenditure to GDP ratios spanned from the highest at 4,635% in China, Hong Kong SAR, to the lowest at 198% in Tanzania.

Data Source

Annual food expenditure vs. total consumer expenditure | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is an online publication that provides access to comprehensive datasets and visualizations on various global issues, including economic indicators. The dataset on annual food expenditure versus total consumer expenditure offers insights into the proportion of consumer spending allocated to food across different countries.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Food Expenditure vs GDP data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.