The world produces enough food overall, but food insecurity persists because food is distributed unequally and many people lack physical or economic access to a balanced diet. The central problem is often access rather than global production.
This is core SL and HL content in Subtopic 5.2: Agriculture and food, especially understandings 5.2.3 and 5.2.12. Food security means the physical and economic availability of food allowing individuals to obtain the balanced diet needed for an active, healthy life.
| Factor | How it causes food insecurity |
|---|---|
| Poverty | Food may be available, but low-income households cannot afford it; rising prices affect poorer groups most. |
| Unequal distribution | Surplus food does not reach shortages because transport, storage and trade systems are uneven. |
| Conflict and instability | Conflict can destroy farms and infrastructure, interrupt imports, displace people and reduce incomes. Yemen shows how disrupted markets and livelihoods can cause food insecurity. |
| Food loss and waste | Crops may be lost through inadequate storage and transport, while retailers and consumers discard edible food. |
| Environmental change | Droughts, floods, soil degradation and climate change can reduce local production and supply stability. |
| Competing uses | Crops and land may supply animal feed, biofuels or exports instead of vulnerable local populations. |
This is also an environmental justice issue. Marginalized groups often have least influence over land-use decisions and distribution, while being most exposed to price rises, conflict and environmental degradation.
A common misconception is that increasing agricultural production alone will end hunger. Productivity can help, but without affordable access, reduced waste, stable governance and equitable distribution, food insecurity can continue.
Exam technique: For an “explain” question, build linked causal chains rather than listing factors: poverty reduces purchasing power, which limits access to nutritious food, causing food insecurity. For higher-mark responses, add a named example and connect environmental, social and economic sustainability.