Global Daily Calories Per Capita

About This Data

This visualization shows the total daily supply of calories per capita by country from 1961 to 2022. The data represents the average daily caloric intake available to each person in a country, which is an important indicator of food security and nutritional well-being.

Key Insights

• Global Trends: Most countries have experienced increases in caloric supply over the past 60+ years due to improvements in agricultural productivity and food distribution.
• Regional Variation: Developed nations tend to have higher caloric supplies, while some developing nations have lower values.
• Dietary Changes: Over time, patterns may reflect economic development, industrialization of agriculture, and dietary transitions.
• Food Security Indicator: Caloric supply is one metric used to assess food security, though it doesn't account for food quality, nutritional diversity, or distribution within countries.

Data Source

This data comes from the Our World in Data Global Food Explorer, which aggregates data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Understanding the Metrics

• Daily Caloric Supply: The average amount of food (expressed in calories) available for consumption per person per day. This is calculated as food production plus imports minus exports and non-food uses.
• Per Capita: Divided by the population, so it represents an average per person (not everyone consumes exactly this amount).
• Recommended Intake: The typical adult needs approximately 2,000-2,500 calories per day, though this varies by age, sex, and activity level.