Global food systems may be at a crossroads. An economic analysis published in January 2024 by researchers at the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics and Political Science warns that if current trends persist, food insecurity could leave 640 million people, including 121 million children, underweight by 2050. At the same time, obesity rates are projected to soar by 70%, and food production will continue to drive a third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Global food systems also come with hidden costs exceeding $10 trillion annually — nearly 10% of global gross domestic product — according to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s 2023 State of Food and Agriculture report. These costs stem largely from unhealthy diets driving obesity and noncommunicable diseases, particularly in wealthier nations. Low-income countries, however, bear the heaviest proportional toll, with hidden costs exceeding 25% of their GDP, driven by poverty and undernourishment.
The research at Oxford and LSE also suggested there may be a different way forward. The alternative involves bold policy changes and sustainable practices, with the potential to save millions of lives from diet-related chronic diseases and turn food systems into net carbon sinks.
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About the author
Katrina J. Lane
Katrina Lane is an Editorial Strategist and Reporter at Devex. She writes on ecologies and social inclusion, and also supports the creation of partnership content at Devex. She holds a degree in Psychology from Warwick University, offering a unique perspective on the cognitive frameworks and social factors that influence responses to global issues.
