According to FAO estimates, an individual requires approximately 2000–2100 calories per day merely to survive.

A family of four, therefore, needs roughly 9,000 calories daily, translating to around 270,000 calories per month. This calculation starkly reveals how the cost of food alone becomes a daily challenge for those earning the minimum wage.

When the minimum wage is compared against the cost of a basic food basket, a severe gap emerges. In many nations, the minimum wage fails to even cover the fundamental requirements for subsistence.

Consequently, individuals are forced to spend the majority of their income solely on food. Here is a data-driven analysis of this disparity in Arab countries.

Calorie Economy: How much spending do you need to live?

How many work hours to secure daily food?

Individual Family (4 members)

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Methodology:

The number of work hours required to purchase a daily food basket in each country was calculated, where the size of the circle represents the hours needed to cover this cost.

Food Pressure Index

Packed Circles Treemap

Methodology:

The Food Pressure Index measures the ratio of the monthly cost of a food basket for an average family to the monthly minimum wage in each country.

The Gap Between Wages and Monthly Food Cost

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How to read the chart:

Each dot represents one country, while the dashed red line indicates the break-even point (where wages equal food costs).

🔲 Source: FAO – Local statistical agencies

Some Arab countries have witnessed an increase in the minimum daily calories available per capita, thanks to improved agricultural production and a greater abundance of local food.

However, reliance on imports makes certain nations more vulnerable to global price fluctuations, especially those grappling with political and economic crises.

Below is an analytical map illustrating the evolution of caloric consumption in Arab countries from 1990 to the present day, reflecting the overall food availability in each country.

Youssef Saoud

Data Analyst at MBN Alhurra