In yet another global list where the Lion City scored very well, Singapore ranked number 1 on The Economist Intelligence Units (The EIU) Global Food Security Index, based on findings that were released on Wednesday, October 17.
Because of Singapore’s open trade environment and strong economic performance, the country has ousted previous number one, Ireland, from the top spot, claiming the highest position for the first time since studies were begun.
More than 70 percent of the 113 countries on the latest Global Food Security Index (GFSI) showed improved scores since 2017. This is largely due to the fact that resilience mechanisms have been created and that economic performance has improved on a global scale.
The biggest winners are lower-middle- and low-income countries, which have made changes to obtaining food security measures that are more resilient.
These include better capabilities to feed quickly growing populations in urban areas as well as developments in infrastructure especially in the agricultural sector.
However, the report from the EIU comes with a warning that these developments toward progress remain threatened by socioeconomic and environmental risks. Despite taking first place, Singapore is at the highest risk because of climate change as well as natural resources.
Nations are encouraged to comprehend the complexity of these risks as well as find ways address them, such as food systems resilience that will guarantee food security for coming generations.
While Singapore and the countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council largely depend on imports for their food supplies, the percentage of the population below the poverty line in these countries is relatively small, making them financially resilient when prices rise worldwide.
The top ten countries in the Global Food Security Index are as follows:
- Singapore
2. Ireland
3. United Kingdom/ United States (tie)
5. Netherlands
6. Australia
7. Switzerland
8. Finland
9. Canada
10. France
According to the report, “The annual Global Food Security Index evaluates the affordability, availability, and quality and safety of food and food systems across 113 countries, and applies an adjustment factor to the resulting food security scores to take into account climate-related and natural resource risks. The index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model, constructed from 35 unique indicators, that measures these drivers across both developing and developed countries. Food security is defined as the state in which people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for a healthy and active life, based on the definition established at the 1996 World Food Summit.”