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