Page 97 - IJPS-10-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Household food insecurity in urban areas

1. Introduction them vulnerable to the adverse effects of rising food prices
and potentially limiting their access to an adequate food
The world’s population has experienced a remarkable supply (Boliko, 2019).
increase, growing from 1 billion in 1800 to a staggering 8
billion today. At present, less developed countries in Africa, While numerous investigations in this field have
Asia, and Latin America account for 85% of the world’s predominantly focused on national and regional
population but contribute to 99% of the global population contexts, they often overlook disparities within localities
growth (United Nations, 2022). These regions exhibit the and subcities. The empirical data provided may not
highest fertility rates and childhood mortality rates, and definitively authenticate circumstances that transpire
they are predominantly found in the poorest and food- at a fundamental level and may inadequately expose
insecure countries (Boliko, 2019; FAO, 2020). Surprisingly, the magnitude of food insecurity predicaments within
more than 800 million people worldwide suffer from regional domains. As of late, there has been mounting
undernourishment, with over 97% residing in developing concern over food insecurity among households residing
countries. The global rate of undernourishment is on the in urban settings in Ethiopia. This predicament has
rise, affecting 9.9% of the global population (FAO, 2021). correspondingly transpired as a repercussion of soaring
Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing the fastest population food prices as well as conflicts that have arisen in certain
growth of any major region in the world, currently with areas of the country (CSA, 2022a; IDMC, 2021). The
a population of 1.3 billion (17% of the world population) occurrence of the aforementioned unfavorable situation
(United Nations, 2022). distinctly affects the food security of households residing
Ethiopia remains one of the world’s most impoverished in urban areas, thereby necessitating interdisciplinary
and food-insecure nations, with 30.8% of its population research endeavors to determine the precise nature
living below the poverty line (Odekon, 2022). The and degree of food security statuses. Consequently, the
majority of urban households in Ethiopia, representing primary objective of this study is to bridge the existing
approximately 80%, experience food insufficiency, and gap in the relevant scholarly literature by comprehensively
they heavily depend on market mechanisms to meet their investigating the phenomenon of household food
food needs. According to the Interim Report on 2015/16 insecurity, including the identification of pertinent causal
poverty analysis study conducted in Ethiopia (FDRE, 2017), factors underlying it.
an estimated 14.8% of the urban population is categorized 1.1. Theoretical framework
as falling below the food poverty line. In Addis Ababa, an
estimated 19.1% of individuals experience food insecurity, The phenomenon of food insecurity is intimately linked
defined as their inability to afford consumption items to the interrelated factors of food availability and access,
providing a minimum of 2,200 kcal (PDC, 2019). Similarly, as well as the attendant risks that may arise as a result
in Lideta subcity, one of the most deprived subcities in of insufficient availability or restricted access to food.
Addis Ababa, an estimated 29.3% of the population suffers A household’s capacity to overcome food insecurity
from food insecurity. The estimation indicates that nearly depends on its human, material, and institutional
one-third of the population cannot access an adequate resources, commonly referred to as “food security
food intake (MOFED, 2018). factors” in scholarly literature. These factors encompass
educational attainments, employment opportunities,
Urban food security is often a persistent issue
influenced by increasing urbanization rates, fluctuations household demographics, urban agriculture practices,
asset ownership, access to financial savings and credit
in food prices, and market instability (Boliko, 2019; facilities, the provision of clean water and sanitation, and
Riley et al., 2019). This chronic condition can last for the cost of living conditions (Ayele et al., 2020; Dinku et al.,
extended periods, even throughout people’s lifetimes 2023; Ejigayhu & Edriss, 2012; Gazuma, 2018; Gezimu,
(FAO, 2020), and is closely associated with urban poverty. 2012; Habte et al., 2019; Opiyo et al., 2018; Otekunrin
A study conducted by Belachew et al. (2012) in Ethiopia et al., 2021; Syafiq et al., 2022). The most useful approaches
demonstrated that chronic food insecurity in households for examining factors contributing to household food
can result in persistent malnutrition due to the inability to
consistently access an adequate food supply. In situations insecurity include Food Availability Decline (FAD), Food
where there is a surge in food prices, households that do Entitlement Decline (FED), and the Political Economy
not engage in food production, particularly in urban areas, Approach.
are compelled to procure food through alternative means, Food Availability Decline has garnered attention
predominantly food purchases. The purchasing power of from scholars and policymakers in recent years. This
these households is contingent on their income, making phenomenon manifests in two distinct iterations. The

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 91 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.1060