Food Expenditure vs GDP 2023

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

103 data points••Global Coverage•Annual food expenditure vs. total consumer expenditure | Our World in Data•
Highest
Switzerland
4,449.81%
Lowest
Tanzania
197.43%
Median country
1,822.85%
Countries with data
103

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
4,449.806 %
2
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
3,925.195 %
3
Israel flag
Israel
3,823.026 %
4
Denmark flag
Denmark
3,726.748 %
5
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
3,711.772 %
6
United States flag
United States
3,694.354 %
7
Norway flag
Norway
3,457.007 %
8
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
3,401.596 %
9
Italy flag
Italy
3,388.363 %
10
Australia flag
Australia
3,374.186 %
11
Finland flag
Finland
3,290.501 %
12
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
3,289.094 %
13
Belgium flag
Belgium
3,210.832 %
14
Estonia flag
Estonia
3,176.015 %
15
Portugal flag
Portugal
3,168.516 %
16
Sweden flag
Sweden
3,143.499 %
17
Germany flag
Germany
3,113.452 %
18
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
3,094.575 %
19
France flag
France
3,086.432 %
20
Croatia flag
Croatia
3,014.86 %
21
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
2,980.752 %
22
Austria flag
Austria
2,930.434 %
23
Japan flag
Japan
2,865.255 %
24
Greece flag
Greece
2,824.133 %
25
Romania flag
Romania
2,789.971 %
26
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
2,776.422 %
27
Canada flag
Canada
2,775.218 %
28
Latvia flag
Latvia
2,756.91 %
29
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
2,700.586 %
30
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
2,675.218 %
31
Qatar flag
Qatar
2,648.681 %
32
Mexico flag
Mexico
2,550.189 %
33
Spain flag
Spain
2,511.888 %
34
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
2,499.02 %
35
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
2,477.543 %
36
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
2,445.027 %
37
Ireland flag
Ireland
2,396.711 %
38
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
2,350.59 %
39
Georgia flag
Georgia
2,271.534 %
40
Poland flag
Poland
2,207.135 %
41
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
2,122.573 %
42
Argentina flag
Argentina
2,113.436 %
43
South Korea flag
South Korea
2,071.167 %
44
Taiwan flag
Taiwan
2,059.619 %
45
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
2,018.303 %
46
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
2,014.427 %
47
Chile flag
Chile
1,970.426 %
48
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
1,940.106 %
49
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1,873.353 %
50
Hungary flag
Hungary
1,832.492 %
51
Singapore flag
Singapore
1,831.322 %
52
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
1,822.851 %
53
Turkey flag
Turkey
1,808.026 %
54
Serbia flag
Serbia
1,807.001 %
55
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
1,764.249 %
56
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
1,761.051 %
57
Russia flag
Russia
1,718.088 %
58
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
1,622.293 %
59
Panama flag
Panama
1,535.237 %
60
Oman flag
Oman
1,519.152 %
61
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
1,405.459 %
62
Peru flag
Peru
1,386.664 %
63
Belarus flag
Belarus
1,313.967 %
64
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
1,265.917 %
65
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1,219.237 %
66
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
1,217.918 %
67
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
1,111.029 %
68
Thailand flag
Thailand
1,107.738 %
69
Colombia flag
Colombia
1,086.959 %
70
Philippines flag
Philippines
1,069.704 %
71
Brazil flag
Brazil
1,025.555 %
72
China flag
China
998.872 %
73
Egypt flag
Egypt
982.742 %
74
Jordan flag
Jordan
956.773 %
75
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
909.847 %
76
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
897.959 %
77
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
872.856 %
78
Honduras flag
Honduras
855.167 %
79
Morocco flag
Morocco
835.479 %
80
Algeria flag
Algeria
784.71 %
81
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
777.585 %
82
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
769.544 %
83
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
759.255 %
84
Ghana flag
Ghana
741.153 %
85
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
718.673 %
86
Iraq flag
Iraq
715.216 %
87
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
714.855 %
88
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
693.493 %
89
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
658.128 %
90
Angola flag
Angola
637.653 %
91
Kenya flag
Kenya
625.842 %
92
South Africa flag
South Africa
615.909 %
93
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
575.751 %
94
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
566.207 %
95
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
510.778 %
96
Laos flag
Laos
451.897 %
97
India flag
India
449.267 %
98
Iran flag
Iran
448.508 %
99
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
406.422 %
100
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
398.54 %
101
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
362.023 %
102
Uganda flag
Uganda
265.895 %
103
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
197.426 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Switzerland flagSwitzerland
  2. #2China, Hong Kong SAR flagChina, Hong Kong SAR
  3. #3Israel flagIsrael
  4. #4Denmark flagDenmark
  5. #5New Zealand flagNew Zealand
  6. #6United States flagUnited States
  7. #7Norway flagNorway
  8. #8Kazakhstan flagKazakhstan
  9. #9Italy flagItaly
  10. #10Australia flagAustralia

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #103Tanzania flagTanzania
  2. #102Uganda flagUganda
  3. #101Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  4. #100Turkmenistan flagTurkmenistan
  5. #99Pakistan flagPakistan
  6. #98Iran flagIran
  7. #97India flagIndia
  8. #96Laos flagLaos
  9. #95Myanmar flagMyanmar
  10. #94Nigeria flagNigeria

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

Insights by country

1

Qatar

In 2023, Qatar ranks #31 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2648.681 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting Qatar's unique economic structure and consumption patterns. The high expenditure is driven by the country's wealth from oil and gas exports, coupled with a small population that enjoys a high standard of living and access to diverse food imports.

2

Honduras

In 2023, Honduras ranks #78 globally in Food Expenditure vs GDP, with a value of 855.16724 %. This figure is significantly higher than many countries in the region, indicating a heavy reliance on food spending relative to its economic output. The high percentage can be attributed to widespread poverty and limited access to affordable food, which forces households to allocate a large portion of their income to basic sustenance.

3

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan ranks #58 globally in 2023 for Food Expenditure vs GDP, with a value of 1622.2925 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a substantial portion of the country's economic output is dedicated to food spending. Key drivers include Azerbaijan's reliance on agriculture and food imports, coupled with a relatively high cost of living that affects consumer spending patterns.

4

Belarus

In 2023, Belarus ranks #63 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 1313.9669 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a significant portion of economic resources is allocated to food consumption. Contributing factors include Belarus's reliance on agriculture, a sector that plays a crucial role in its economy, and the impact of economic sanctions that have constrained food imports and local production capabilities.

5

Chile

In 2023, Chile ranks #47 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP of 1970.4255 %. This figure indicates that Chile's food expenditure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting a strong emphasis on food consumption within its economy. Key drivers behind this high expenditure include the country's diverse agricultural sector, which supports local food production, and a growing middle class that prioritizes food quality and variety.

6

Japan

In 2023, Japan ranks #23 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2865.2551 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a significant portion of the economy is dedicated to food consumption. Key drivers include Japan's high cost of living, a strong emphasis on quality and safety in food production, and cultural factors that prioritize fresh and local ingredients.

7

Costa Rica

Costa Rica ranks #35 globally in 2023 for Food Expenditure vs GDP, with a value of 2477.5427 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong focus on food-related spending compared to overall economic output. Key drivers include the country's commitment to sustainable agriculture and a high standard of living, which influences consumer spending patterns on food and nutrition.

8

Greece

In 2023, Greece ranks #24 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 2824.1333 %. This figure is significantly higher than the average for European Union countries, indicating a strong reliance on food spending relative to its economic output. Contributing factors include Greece's rich culinary tradition and the high cost of imported goods, compounded by economic challenges that impact disposable income.

9

Italy

In 2023, Italy ranks #9 globally with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 3388.3633 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong emphasis on food spending relative to its economic output. The high food expenditure is driven by Italy's rich culinary culture and the importance of local food production, which is supported by a robust agricultural sector and a strong emphasis on quality ingredients. Additionally, Italy's tourism industry heavily influences food consumption patterns, as visitors often seek authentic Italian dining experiences.

10

Bahrain

Bahrain ranks #61 globally in 2023 with a Food Expenditure vs GDP value of 1405.4587 %. This figure is significantly higher than the average for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, reflecting a unique economic landscape.

The high food expenditure relative to GDP indicates a heavy reliance on food imports due to Bahrain's limited agricultural capacity and a growing population. Additionally, the country's economic diversification efforts and increased consumer spending contribute to elevated food costs, further influencing this metric.

Analysis & Context

In 2023, Switzerland leads the world in the "Food Expenditure vs GDP" metric with a staggering 4449.81%, showcasing the highest proportion of economic output spent on food. The global range for this statistic spans from a minimum of 197.43% in Tanzania to Switzerland's peak value. The average value across the 103 countries analyzed is 1869.35%, providing a baseline for understanding economic structures worldwide.

Economic Structures and High Food Expenditure Ratios

Countries with high "Food Expenditure vs GDP" ratios often reflect complex economic structures where food industries significantly contribute to the national economy. For instance, in Switzerland and China, Hong Kong SAR (3925.20%), the high ratios indicate that food plays a crucial role in their service-oriented and high-cost economies. These regions are characterized by high living costs, where food prices are substantial, contributing to the elevated ratios.

Additionally, Israel (3823.03%) and Denmark (3726.75%) also exhibit high ratios, which can be attributed to their advanced economies where food products are not only consumed domestically but also hold significant value in exports. The presence of robust agricultural sectors in these countries can drive up the GDP contribution from food-related activities, resulting in higher ratios.

Low Food Expenditure vs GDP Ratios: A Different Economic Narrative

On the opposite end, countries with low ratios such as Tanzania (197.43%) and Uganda (265.90%) often have economies where agriculture is predominantly subsistence-based. In these nations, food expenditure makes up a smaller fraction of GDP, implying that their economies are less diversified and heavily reliant on agriculture without significant value addition or export components.

Similarly, Ethiopia (362.02%) and Turkmenistan (398.54%) reflect economies where the majority of the population might spend a smaller portion of their incomes on food relative to GDP, highlighting lower per capita income and less developed food markets.

Year-over-Year Changes and Economic Implications

The year-over-year changes in the "Food Expenditure vs GDP" metric reveal dynamic economic shifts. Qatar experienced the most significant increase at +1061.14% (66.8%), possibly due to economic diversification efforts and increased food imports enhancing the food sector's GDP contribution. Meanwhile, Venezuela saw an astronomical rise of 801.9%, largely driven by hyperinflation affecting food prices and economic instability causing shifts in GDP composition.

Conversely, Oman recorded a decrease of -511.82% (-25.2%), which could be attributed to stabilization in food prices or economic rebalancing efforts reducing the relative contribution of food to GDP. Similarly, Israel and Russia saw decreases of -422.49% (-10.0%) and -412.59% (-19.4%) respectively, reflecting potential economic stabilization or shifts in GDP components away from food-related sectors.

Urbanization and Its Impact on Food Expenditure

Urbanization trends significantly impact the "Food Expenditure vs GDP" metric. Countries with high urbanization rates often see increased food costs due to higher living standards and demand for diverse food products. For example, New Zealand (3711.77%) and Australia (3374.19%) have high urbanization, leading to robust food service industries that drive up the GDP contribution from food.

In contrast, countries with lower urbanization, like India (449.27%) and Laos (451.90%), typically have lower food expenditure ratios. The economic activity in these nations is often concentrated in rural areas where traditional agriculture prevails, resulting in a smaller GDP share from food-related activities.

Overall, the "Food Expenditure vs GDP" metric in 2023 illustrates diverse economic landscapes, reflecting how food-related economic activities are integrated into national economies. Whether through high-value food exports or subsistence agriculture, this metric provides insights into the economic priorities and structural compositions of countries worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Expenditure vs GDP in 2023

Which country has the highest ratio of food expenditure to GDP in 2023?

Switzerland has the highest ratio of food expenditure to GDP in 2023, with a value of 4,450%.

Which country has the lowest ratio of food expenditure to GDP in 2023?

Tanzania has the lowest ratio of food expenditure to GDP in 2023, with a value of 197%.

What is the average ratio of food expenditure to GDP across all countries in 2023?

The average ratio of food expenditure to GDP across all countries in the dataset is 1,869%.

What is the median ratio of food expenditure to GDP in 2023?

The median ratio of food expenditure to GDP in 2023 is 1,823%.

Which countries are in the top 3 for the highest food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2023?

The top 3 countries with the highest food expenditure to GDP ratio in 2023 are Switzerland, China, Hong Kong SAR, and Israel.

What is the range of food expenditure to GDP ratios in the dataset for 2023?

The range of food expenditure to GDP ratios in the dataset for 2023 spans from 197% in Tanzania to 4,450% in Switzerland.

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.