Exploring the disparity in global food security indicators

Much information on the food security status of countries has become increasingly available in recent years. However, alternative measures, especially with large variation, can affect policy design and delivery to alleviate food insecurity. This study explores variation within and among global food security indicators – from FAO, UNDP, IFPRI and USDA – during 1991–2018. Within variation is significantly explained by economic growth, literacy, urbanization and internet access, while a meta-regression analysis pointed to study heterogeneity as potential sources of variation among these indicators. Results have implications for future data compilation and analysis for a more accurate picture of the prevalence of undernourishment and for the effects of the ongoing pandemic on food security.