Does better nutrition cause economic growth? The efficiency cost of hunger revisited

Does better nutrition cause economic growth? The efficiency cost of hunger revisited

Year of publication 2002

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title FAO Agricultural Economics Working Paper

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) This paper considers the impact of the nutritional status on the growth rate of real GDP per capita. In particular, a panel of 114 countries’ Dietary Energy Supply (DES) per capita from 1961 to 1999 is combined with the latest release of real GDP per capita data from the World Bank (World Development Indicators, 2001). Besides pooled regressions, we also divided at the sample into a 10-year and 5-year interval in order to investigate the medium and short run effects. Moreover, we compared and co ntrasted across country groups within each of the above time frames to discern cross-sectional performance difference. We found that on average the long run real GDP per capita growth rate can be increased by 0.5 percentage point if DES is increased by 500 kcal/day. However, for a subgroup of developing countries (East and Southeast Asia) we found this number could be four times larger, while in most of the other developing countries this effect is either negative or negligible. The short run ef fect is more likely to be insignificant or negative than long run effect. We believe this could be due to the dynamic interaction between the short run population growth effect and the long run productivity effect. These results are robust to various econometric modeling procedures as well as to the identity critique. Since this nutrition trap is a short run effect, any policy shall aim to reduce hunger for the long run. This study shows that having chronic hunger in the country is costly in ter ms of economic growth in the long run.

Language Trilingual

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Document

Revisiting leaf microstructural and physical properties for high-efficiency depositional niches of particulate matters
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022

Also available in:

No results found.

Current problems and potential solutions to reduce suspended particulate matter (PM) are enormous scientific challenges. Indeed, reducing the vehicle or industrial-driven PM particles still need a guide to discerning an economically viable solution for highly urbanized areas. Therefore, a better understanding of PM capture processes and pathways from both leaf surfaces and waxes would allow for the development of long-term air purification potential and efficiency in the improvement of urban greenspace. Functional traits as biofiltration for airborne PM particle control were calculated using the following species of Aesculus turbinata, Chionanthus retusus, Ginkgo biloba, Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia denudata, Styphnolobium japonicum, Taxus cuspidata, Buxus koreana, Euonymus japonicus, and Rhododendron schlippenbachii. Variation in PM adsorption amounts per unit area could be related to the difference in air pollutant concentrations, weather conditions, tree canopy, and adaxial/abaxial leaf surfaces. Leaf micromorphological traits among tree and shrub species were related to PM adsorption; however, the leaf accumulation-PM removal efficiency could be generated through a collaboration of leaf hydrophobic nature and complex surface microstructures such as trichomes. Furthermore, PM retention capacities of leaf surfaces as the main depositional niches for PM particles can be a very important indicator as a valid means to enhance long-term sustainability of context-specific vegetation barriers for urban air pollution abatement. In conclusion, these findings will provide a reference for urban planning and design and can help to develop the improvement of future urban greenspace based on local conditions. Acknowledgments: This study was carried out with the support of ‘A Study on Mechanism and Function Improvement of Plants for Reducing Air Pollutants’ (Grant No. FE0000-2018-01-2020) from National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS), Republic of Korea. Keywords: Sustainable forest management, Human health and well-being, Adaptive and integrated management, Biodiversity conservation, Climate change ID: 3486769
Project

Improving Food Security, Nutrition, Decent Work and Economic Growth through Sustainable Aquaculture - GCP/GLO/990/ROK 2023

Also available in:

No results found.

Aquaculture has grown significantly in recent decades as a source of food, enhanced nutrition, income and livelihoods. Given the increasing reliance upon aquaculture worldwide, significant efforts are required in order to ensure the sustainable development of the sector, in particular related production. In October 2017, the Ninth Session of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI:AQ) recognized the growing global significance of sustainable aquaculture development and its potential contribution to global food security and nutrition, but also to the achievement of a number of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. It further recognized the increasing need for implementation of best practices in aquaculture in a number of countries and regions and recommended the development by FAO of global Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA). These guidelines for policy-makers will aim to raise greater awareness within the aquaculture sector, and demonstrate alternative and integrated approaches, such as integrated fish and plant farming and climate-smart agriculture, in order to effectively participate in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The guidelines will be developed within the broader framework of FAO’s Common Vision for Sustainable Food and Agriculture and its five principles.
Document

Opportunities for Economic Growth and Job Creation in Relation to Food Security and Nutrition
Report to the G20 Development Working Group
2014

Also available in:

No results found.

Food security is critical to the G20’s growth agenda: G20 actions to foster faster economic growth are mutually reinforcing with efforts to improve global food security and nutrition. The growth, jobs and finance agenda is therefore closely linked to food security and nutrition. FAO estimates that around 842 million people (12 percent of the global population) are unable to meet their dietary energy requirements. The principal cause of food insecurity is household incomes that are too low to e nsure adequate access to food. Economic growth that raises the incomes of the world’s poorest is essential for long-term food security. Empirical evidence suggests that agricultural growth in LICs is three times as effective in reducing extreme (dollar-a-day) poverty as growth in other sectors. Improved food security, reflected in better nutritional status, is a prerequisite for human resource development and resulting gains in productivity and economic growth. Food insecurity and malnutrition c arry a high cost in terms of foregone economic opportunities, which can extend into future generations. Eliminating undernutrition during the window of opportunity from pregnancy to 24 months could raise the economic growth potential of Africa and Asia dramatically. Productivity-enhancing investments and the integration of smallholders into markets not only improves food security and resilience to food price volatility but also improves incomes and creates jobs in agriculture and through strong multiplier effects in the rural sector, and in the broader context of structural transformation can be a foundation for growth and development more generally.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.