Inequalities in the Costs and Affordability of a Healthy Diet in Europe between 2017 and 2021

OBJECTIVES: According to the World Bank, an unaffordable healthy diet means its cost is more than 52% of one’s household income. As poor diet is a risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases, it is key to know which populations have the highest risk of being unable to afford a healthy diet.

METHODS: Our quantitative, retrospective descriptive study assessed selected indicators from the Food & Agriculture Organization statistical database. These indicators were the following: ‘Cost of a healthy diet (PPP dollar per person per day)’; ‘Percentage of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (percent)’; ‘Number of people unable to afford a healthy diet (million)’. 38 European member states, four Regions (Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western), and the European average were analyzed between 2017 and 2021.

RESULTS: In 2017, the European average was $3.00/capita/day, which increased to $3.22 by 2021 (+7.3%). Among the Regions, there was a 1.28-fold difference, with the lowest value recorded in Northern Europe ($2.80/capita/day) and the highest in Southern Europe ($3.60/capita/day) in 2021. We observed an increase in costs in every Region, with the highest one in Eastern Europe during the examined period (+9.78%). However, in each Region, the percentage of those unable to afford a healthy diet decreased. Between 2017 and 2021, this indicator decreased by 1% in Europe (from 2.5% to 1.5%). In 2021, Southern European countries had the highest observed percentage (2.6%), while Western Europe had the lowest (0.2%). Nevertheless, the most significant improvement is also associated with Southern Europe (-1.9%).

CONCLUSIONS: Differences are observed in terms of access to a healthy diet regarding its affordability. While the Southern European countries showed the most significant improvement in both indicators. However, they remain the most disadvantaged among the Regions, therefore, special attention should be paid to improving accessibility in those countries.