The pervasiveness of food insecurity and its correlates in Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the issue of food insecurity in Pakistan, a nation whose economy is mostly dependent on agriculture. However, it still badly affects upto 42.54% of households and 45.89% of the population. We have established the extent and severity of food insecurity at the regional levels and analyzed food distribution among individuals. It is based on multiple dimensions which display the origin of food insecurity in Pakistan. We used the data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey 2018–19 (HIES). Food insecurity is quantified using three approaches: gross calories, modifying calories for loss, and removing gifts and assistance. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index was used to measure the state and depth of food insecurity. The binary logistic model technique was used to investigate the determinants of food insecurity. The studies revealed that the condition is more prevalent in urban areas. The level of food insecurity is highest in the Sindh region, whereas it is lowest in Punjab. The proportion of food-insecure households is influenced by household size, number of earners, and food deficit. Furthermore, all characteristics such as region, head gender, head education, the proportion of graduates, rooms, house occupancy status, dependence ratio, inequality, and mean calories consumed significantly impacted food insecurity.

Keywords

• Food insecurity
• head count ratio
• food insecurity gap
• consumption inequalities
• regional distribution
• Food Additives & Ingredients