Rank
1	South Sudan	8.39
2	Japan	7.63
3	Mongolia	7.02
4	Guyana	6.83
5	South Korea	6.68
6	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	6.43
7	Egypt	6.38
8	Dominica	6.36
9	Lebanon	6.25
10	Haiti	6.21
11	Suriname	6.16
12	Bosnia and Herzegovina	6.15
13	Jamaica	6.02
14	Bhutan	5.96
15	Antigua and Barbuda	5.9
16	Brunei Darussalam	5.89
17	Grenada	5.83
18	Syrian Arab Republic	5.77
19	Thailand	5.65
20	Trinidad and Tobago	5.56
21	Bahamas	5.54
22	Curaçao	5.54
23	Algeria	5.53
24	Dominican Republic	5.4
25	Mauritania	5.4
26	Bulgaria	5.32
27	Serbia	5.28
28	Lesotho	5.24
29	British Virgin Islands	5.23
30	Chile	5.22
31	Laos	5.19
32	Sint Maarten (Dutch part)	5.18
33	Saint Lucia	5.16
34	Sri Lanka	5.16
35	Comoros	5.14
36	Guinea	5.1
37	Hungary	5.08
38	Paraguay	5.04
39	Saint Kitts and Nevis	5.04
40	Guatemala	5.03
41	Tunisia	5.02
42	Angola	5
43	Aruba	5
44	Niger	4.98
45	Malta	4.89
46	North Macedonia	4.85
47	Fiji	4.83
48	Bolivia	4.82
49	China, Hong Kong SAR	4.81
50	Equatorial Guinea	4.79
51	Ethiopia	4.78
52	Montenegro	4.78
53	Albania	4.77
54	Turkey	4.77
55	Honduras	4.75
56	Indonesia	4.75
57	Latvia	4.72
58	Mauritius	4.72
59	Nigeria	4.72
60	Cayman Islands	4.7
61	Croatia	4.7
62	Brazil	4.69
63	Colombia	4.67
64	Namibia	4.67
65	Uzbekistan	4.67
66	Gabon	4.64
67	Malawi	4.64
68	Sao Tome and Principe	4.64
69	Costa Rica	4.62
70	Cambodia	4.6
71	Burundi	4.55
72	Norway	4.55
73	Belize	4.54
74	Liberia	4.52
75	Rwanda	4.52
76	Bangladesh	4.49
77	Ghana	4.49
78	Vietnam	4.49
79	Somalia	4.47
80	Congo	4.43
81	Gambia	4.43
82	Mexico	4.41
83	Uruguay	4.41
84	Bermuda	4.39
85	Canada	4.39
86	Iran	4.39
87	Romania	4.39
88	Cameroon	4.38
89	Philippines	4.38
90	Armenia	4.35
91	Panama	4.34
92	Peru	4.34
93	Bahrain	4.33
94	Estonia	4.32
95	Greece	4.31
96	Seychelles	4.31
97	Maldives	4.3
98	Malaysia	4.27
99	Kenya	4.26
100	Slovakia	4.25
101	Botswana	4.21
102	Central African Republic	4.21
103	Eswatini	4.21
104	Azerbaijan	4.2
105	Djibouti	4.2
106	Nepal	4.2
107	Italy	4.14
108	Mozambique	4.14
109	Poland	4.14
110	Iraq	4.1
111	Guinea-Bissau	4.09
112	India	4.07
113	Turks and Caicos Islands	4.05
114	Lithuania	4.03
115	Germany	4
116	Zambia	3.99
117	Spain	3.98
118	Madagascar	3.96
119	Chad	3.95
120	Pakistan	3.95
121	Portugal	3.93
122	South Africa	3.89
123	Sweden	3.89
124	Mali	3.86
125	Sierra Leone	3.84
126	Belarus	3.83
127	Cyprus	3.82
128	Cabo Verde	3.81
129	Slovenia	3.81
130	Kyrgyzstan	3.76
131	Togo	3.76
132	France	3.75
133	Burkina Faso	3.73
134	Senegal	3.73
135	Republic of Moldova	3.69
136	Uganda	3.65
137	Tajikistan	3.62
138	China	3.6
139	Côte d'Ivoire	3.59
140	Czech Republic	3.58
141	Finland	3.57
142	Ecuador	3.56
143	New Zealand	3.56
144	Morocco	3.54
145	Singapore	3.52
146	Myanmar	3.49
147	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	3.46
148	Israel	3.41
149	Benin	3.39
150	Jordan	3.37
151	Luxembourg	3.37
152	Tanzania	3.37
153	State of Palestine	3.33
154	Sudan	3.32
155	Iceland	3.29
156	Russia	3.29
157	United Arab Emirates	3.22
158	Australia	3.2
159	Netherlands	3.17
160	Kuwait	3.09
161	Switzerland	3.07
162	Kazakhstan	3.06
163	Denmark	3.03
164	Oman	3.03
165	Saudi Arabia	3.02
166	Austria	2.99
167	Ireland	2.83
168	Belgium	2.81
169	United States	2.79
170	Qatar	2.66
171	United Kingdom	2.56

↑Top 10 Countries

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

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

Insights by country

New Zealand

In 2024, New Zealand ranks #143 globally with a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 3.56. This position is notably lower than many of its regional neighbors, indicating higher costs relative to dietary health. Contributing factors include New Zealand's geographic isolation, which affects food import costs, and the relatively high cost of living that influences food prices.

Djibouti

In 2024, Djibouti ranks #105 globally with a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 4.2. This places it below the regional average for East Africa, reflecting challenges in food accessibility and affordability. Factors contributing to this index include Djibouti's limited agricultural production due to its arid climate and reliance on food imports, which can drive up costs for residents.

United States

In 2024, the United States has a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 2.79, ranking #169 out of 171 countries. This index value places the U.S. among the lowest globally, indicating higher costs for maintaining a healthy diet compared to many other nations.

Factors contributing to this high cost include the country's reliance on processed foods, varying agricultural policies, and economic disparities that affect food access. Additionally, the prevalence of fast food and convenience options often overshadows healthier choices, further complicating dietary habits for many Americans.

Slovenia

In 2024, Slovenia ranks #129 globally with a Healthy Diet Cost Index value of 3.81. This positions Slovenia below many of its European neighbors, indicating that the cost of maintaining a healthy diet is relatively high compared to countries like Italy and Austria, which rank significantly higher. Contributing factors include Slovenia's smaller agricultural sector and reliance on imported food products, which can drive up costs for consumers seeking healthy options.

Turks and Caicos Islands

In 2024, the Healthy Diet Cost Index for Turks and Caicos Islands is 4.05, ranking it #113 out of 171 countries. This index is notably higher than many Caribbean neighbors, reflecting challenges in food affordability and availability. The islands' reliance on imported goods contributes to elevated prices, compounded by a small population that limits local agricultural production. Additionally, tourism-driven economic policies often prioritize imported luxury foods over sustainable local farming.

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Democratic Republic of the has a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 3.46, ranking #147 out of 171 countries in 2024. This places it significantly lower than many neighboring countries, reflecting challenges in food affordability and access. Factors contributing to this index include ongoing economic instability, high levels of poverty, and inadequate infrastructure that affect food distribution and availability.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan ranks #137 globally with a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 3.62 in 2024. This index reflects a significant challenge compared to higher-ranking countries, indicating that access to affordable nutritious food remains limited. Key factors influencing this situation include Tajikistan's reliance on agriculture, which is often hampered by economic instability and climatic conditions, as well as a lack of infrastructure to support food distribution.

Portugal

In 2024, Portugal has a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 3.93, ranking #121 out of 171 countries. This places Portugal below many of its European neighbors, indicating a higher relative cost for maintaining a healthy diet compared to countries like Spain, which typically ranks better in this metric. Factors contributing to this index include Portugal's economic structure, which relies heavily on tourism and agriculture, and the rising cost of food imports that affect dietary affordability.

Comoros

In 2024, Comoros ranks #35 globally with a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 5.14. This position is notably above the regional average for East Africa, indicating a relatively favorable cost for maintaining a healthy diet compared to its neighbors. Contributing factors include the country's agricultural potential and access to diverse local food sources, which help keep costs manageable despite economic challenges.

Thailand

In 2024, Thailand ranks #19 globally with a Healthy Diet Cost Index of 5.65. This performance is notable as it positions Thailand above several neighboring countries, reflecting a commitment to dietary quality amidst economic growth. Key drivers include Thailand's rich agricultural sector and government initiatives promoting nutrition awareness, which help maintain relatively affordable access to healthy food options.

Analysis & Context

The Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024 reveals that South Sudan leads with the highest value at 8.39, while the global range spans from 2.56 to 8.39. The average value across the 171 countries with available data is 4.46, providing a benchmark for evaluating the relative cost of nutritious food worldwide.

Economic Disparities and the Cost of Nutrition

One of the most striking patterns in the Healthy Diet Cost Index is the economic disparity reflected in the cost of maintaining a nutritious diet. Countries like South Sudan and Haiti, with indices of 8.39 and 6.21 respectively, highlight how economic challenges can drastically inflate food prices. In contrast, wealthier nations such as the United Kingdom and Qatar have much lower indices of 2.56 and 2.66, respectively. These differences are often driven by factors such as local agricultural productivity, import reliance, and economic stability. In South Sudan, for example, ongoing conflict and economic instability significantly impact food distribution and cost, leading to the highest index value globally.

Geographic and Cultural Influences

Geographic and cultural factors also play a crucial role in shaping the Healthy Diet Cost Index. Countries like Japan and South Korea, with indices of 7.63 and 6.68 respectively, demonstrate how densely populated regions with limited arable land face higher costs for healthy foods. These countries often rely on imports to meet domestic demand, which can elevate prices. Additionally, cultural dietary preferences may prioritize foods that are less locally available, further influencing costs. For example, Japan’s preference for fish, which may be increasingly sourced from international markets, contributes to its high index value.

Policy Impacts on Dietary Costs

Government policies can significantly affect the cost of maintaining a healthy diet. Countries with proactive agricultural policies, subsidies, and food security measures often see lower index values. For instance, the United States, with an index of 2.79, benefits from substantial agricultural subsidies and policies that promote food affordability. Conversely, in Egypt, where the index is 6.38, policy challenges such as subsidy cuts and currency devaluation have contributed to rising food prices, impacting the affordability of nutritious diets.

Year-over-Year Changes and Key Movers

The year-over-year data reveals notable changes in the Healthy Diet Cost Index, with an average increase of 0.16 or 3.7%. South Sudan experienced the most significant rise at +3.06 (a 57.4% increase), reflecting worsening economic conditions and inflation. Haiti and Curaçao also saw substantial increases of 0.68 and 0.53, respectively, due to economic pressures and supply chain disruptions. On the other end, countries like Suriname and Myanmar recorded decreases of -0.24 and -0.23, respectively, possibly due to improved local food production and stabilization efforts. These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of global food economics and the impact of both internal and external factors on food affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024

Which country has the highest Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024?

South Sudan has the highest Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024, with a value of 8.39.

Which country has the lowest Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024?

The United Kingdom has the lowest Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024, with a value of 2.56.

What is the average Healthy Diet Cost Index value across all countries in 2024?

The average Healthy Diet Cost Index value across all countries in 2024 is 4.46.

What is the median Healthy Diet Cost Index value in 2024?

The median Healthy Diet Cost Index value in 2024 is 4.39.

How many countries are included in the Healthy Diet Cost Index dataset for 2024?

The Healthy Diet Cost Index dataset for 2024 includes 171 countries.

Which countries are in the top 3 for the Healthy Diet Cost Index in 2024?

The top 3 countries in the Healthy Diet Cost Index for 2024 are South Sudan, Japan, and Mongolia.

Data Source

Daily cost of a healthy diet | FAO and World Bank, using data and methods from Herforth et al. via Our World in Data

Data produced by FAO and World Bank, using data and methods from Herforth et al., compiled and published by Our World in Data as "Daily cost of a healthy diet".

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Historical Data by Year

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