Explaining the Factors Influencing Affordability of Healthy Diets in Africa: A Panel Fixed Effects Model

Abstract

Hunger and malnutrition are part of the major socioeconomic development challenges in many African countries. Similarly, several factors are influencing physical and economic access to healthy diet with direct implications on human health. This study is adding to existing body of knowledge through analysis of the factors influencing affordability of healthy diets in Africa. The data covered 2017-2021 and were obtained from the World Bank Development Indicators and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The data were analysed with fixed effects panel model. The results revealed that the average percentages of people who were unable to afford healthy diet were highest in Madagascar (97.42%), Burundi (95.48%), Malawi (95.30%) and Central Africa Republic (94.52%), while the average costs of healthy diet were highest in Angola ($4.33), South Africa ($4.26), Lesotho ($4.11) and Liberia ($4.05). The fixed effects panel regression model showed that the percentage of the population which was unable to afford healthy diet significantly increased (p<0.05) with diet cost, per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), political instability and corruption indices, but declined with food production index, livestock production index, and final consumption expenditure. It was concluded that utilization of healthy diet is a prerequisite for African human capital development and efforts to promote agricultural productivity, political stability, and good governance are promising avenues for achieving it.