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