Food Insecurity in the Global Youth: an Analysis of Income‐Related Inequalities
Authors: Amarnani Ekta Dilip , Nandi Arijit , Melgar‐Quinonez Hugo 
Published: November 2023

Food security is closely related to household income. Because youth (15–24 year olds) are more susceptible to income volatility, lower income, and unemployment, it is important to understand the extent and significance of income‐related food insecurity inequalities in this age group and how it compares to adults (25–65 year olds). The main objectives of this study are (1) to determine the prevalence of food insecurity among the global youth, and (2) to investigate income‐related inequalities that contribute to youth food insecurity on a region‐by‐region basis. This cross‐sectional study uses data from the 2014 Gallup World Poll. The survey, administered in over 150 countries, includes nationally representative samples of the population 15 years and older. Food security status was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, developed and validated worldwide by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Per capita household income was standardized into International Dollars using the World Bank's Purchasing Power Parity conversion factor to allow for global comparisons. Logistic regressions, carried out using STATA 14, were used to compute odds ratios (OR) for youth food insecurity. Income‐related inequalities in food insecurity were analyzed using absolute concentration indices (ACI). Logistic regressions and ACI were computed and compared for each region using a statistical significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

Globally, youth had higher odds of being food insecure than adults (OR 1.185; p<0.000), however, great heterogeneity was found between regions. Youth were more likely than adults to be food insecure in North America (NA) (OR 1.579; p=0.011) and Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) (OR 1.055; p= 0.049), but less likely than adults to be food insecure in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) (OR 0.897; p<0.000), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) (OR 0.777; p<0.000), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (OR 0.736; p=0.000) and South Asia (SA) (OR 0.792; p<0.000). No significant differences in food security outcome by age group were found in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) (OR 1.089; p= 0.068).

Outcomes in individuals 15 and older showed significant income‐related inequalities in food security in all regions, meaning that globally, the poorer accounted for a greater share of the food insecure population (p<0.000). ECA showed the greatest degree of income‐related food insecurity inequality (ACI= −0.314); the least inequality was found in SSA (ACI= −0.1147). When separated by age group, in all regions except SA and MENA, household income was less closely associated with food security outcome in youth than in adults. The extent and significance of differences in income‐related food insecurity inequalities between youth and adults varied substantially by region, ranging from −0.012 (South Asia) to 0.130 (Europe and Central Asia).

To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the food security status of youth on a global scale. The findings demonstrate that for youth, income may be a stronger or weaker determinant of food security depending on the regional context, and promotes the need for youth‐specific policies that address food security issues beyond income. The results of the study establish a need for further research exploring what mechanisms play a role in protecting youth against food insecurity.