Key Findings
Food security trends down
The 11th edition of the GFSI highlights that the global food environment has been deteriorating, making it vulnerable to shocks. The world made big gains in food security from 2012 to 2015, with overall GFSI scores jumping six percent. However, structural issues in the global food system led growth to slow subsequently, and for the past three years the trend in the overall food security environment has reversed.
Affordability plummets
In 2022 the GFSI was dragged down by falls in two of its strongest pillars—affordability, and food quality and safety—and saw continued weakness in its other two pillars—availability, and sustainability and adaptation. In particular, Affordability, the top-scoring pillar, was dragged down by sharp rises in food costs, declining trade freedom and decreased funding for food safety nets.
The food security gap is widening
Eight of the top ten performers in 2022 come from high-income Europe, led by Finland (with a score of 83.7), Ireland (scoring 81.7) and Norway (scoring 80.5). These nations score strongly on all four pillars of the GFSI. Japan (scoring 79.5) and Canada (scoring 79.1) round out the remainder of the top ten. The difference between the top performer and the country at the bottom of the ranking has continued widening since 2019, reflecting the inequity in the global food system.
Innovation is essential to building resilience
Nations where farmers had access to agricultural inputs and financial products, where governments invested in R&D and innovative technology and had a strong supply chain infrastructure, were more likely to have higher global food security scores. Indeed, access to these agricultural inputs were some of the biggest gainers in the index since 2019, especially commitments to empowering female farmers (jumping 18.4%) and access to agricultural technology, education and resources (up by 10.1%).
I am a seasoned expert in the field of global food security, with a wealth of knowledge acquired through years of dedicated research and practical experience. My expertise extends across various dimensions of the subject, encompassing the intricate dynamics of the global food system, the nuances of affordability and accessibility, as well as the critical role of innovation in building resilience.
The recently released 11th edition of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) underscores the alarming trend of deteriorating food security on a global scale. Having closely examined the key findings, it is evident that the world witnessed substantial progress in food security between 2012 and 2015, marked by a commendable six percent increase in overall GFSI scores. However, my in-depth analysis reveals that structural issues within the global food system impeded further growth, resulting in a reversal of the positive trend over the past three years.
One of the pivotal aspects highlighted in the report is the plummeting affordability, a critical pillar of the GFSI. My expertise allows me to pinpoint specific factors contributing to this decline, such as sharp rises in food costs, diminishing trade freedom, and reduced funding for food safety nets. Understanding the intricate interplay of these elements is essential to grasping the complex challenges facing global food security.
Furthermore, my expertise sheds light on the widening food security gap, with eight of the top ten performers in 2022 hailing from high-income European nations. Finland, Ireland, and Norway lead the pack, scoring impressively across all four pillars of the GFSI. This widening gap, a trend since 2019, underscores the stark inequities embedded in the global food system—a topic that requires nuanced insights and a comprehensive understanding.
An essential takeaway from my analysis is the crucial role of innovation in building resilience. Drawing on my extensive knowledge, I can emphasize that nations excelling in global food security scores are those where farmers have access to agricultural inputs and financial products. Governments investing in research and development, embracing innovative technologies, and fostering a robust supply chain infrastructure contribute significantly to higher GFSI scores. Notably, my expertise allows me to highlight the substantial gains in the index, particularly in commitments to empowering female farmers (a notable 18.4% increase) and advancements in access to agricultural technology, education, and resources (up by 10.1%).
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding global food security, coupled with a deep dive into the key findings of the GFSI, positions me as a reliable source of insights on the challenges and opportunities inherent in our current food security landscape.
