The Philippines is poised to record the highest rate of people experiencing food insecurity in Southeast Asia this year despite a better forecast a decade from now, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Global Food Assessment (GFA) report of the USDA’s Economic Research Service released Aug. 26 shows the Philippines having an estimated 15.4 million food-insecure people, equivalent to 12.6 percent of its population.
But Indonesia topped the list with 32.1 million food-insecure individuals, representing 11.2 percent of its total population.
The USDA publishes its GFA report annually to assess food demand in 83 low and middle-income countries, including the Philippines. It also monitors each country’s ability to meet this demand from its own production and local sources.
‘The resulting gap between local food availability and food demand helps identify potential markets for US agricultural products,’ the report said.
The US agency said the Philippines’ per-capita food gap-or the difference between the 2,100 kilocalorie (kcal) threshold and the average calorie availability for food insecure people-is also the most critical at 294 kcal per day. The threshold is the kcal needed for a healthy diet.
Yet despite its continued population growth, the Philippines is expected to reduce its overall rate of food insecurity over the next 10 years due to rising incomes and economic growth, the USDA said.
PH population, GDP forecast
According to the report, the projected number of food-insecure individuals in the country will decline to 5.7 million by 2036 or 4.1 percent of the population.
The Philippine population is anticipated to reach 138.7 million by 2036, a 13.8-percent increase from 121.9 million in 2026. This reflects an annual growth rate of 1.3 percent.
Still, the country’s food gap is seen to narrow to 243 kcal per day over the decade.
The USDA also estimated the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) to reach $789.49 billion, surging by 85.5 percent from $425.63 billion in 2026.
Moreover, the report noted that the per-capita GDP is projected to reach $5,691 in 2036 from $3,899 in 2026.
On a regional basis, USDA said Southeast Asia will exhibit the most significant improvement in food security within Asia, expecting a reduction of 72.4 percent in the number of food-insecure individuals between 2026 and 2036.
‘By 2036, only 2.5 percent of the population in this subregion is projected to be food insecure, compared to 9.9 percent in 2026,’ the report said.