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The Link between Food Security and Life Satisfaction: Panel Data Analysis

Author

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  • Raufhon Salahodjaev

    (Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, 39 Kari Niyazov Street, Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan)

  • Ziroat Mirziyoyeva

    (Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, 39 Kari Niyazov Street, Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan)

Abstract

The goal of this study is to explore the causal relationship between food (in)security and life satisfaction in a global setting. We explore this relationship using conventional ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and instrumental variable two-stage least squares (IV 2SLS) method. Using data from 105 countries over the period 2012–2019, we found that food insecurity is significantly and negatively related to life satisfaction. The results are robust even after controlling for GDP growth, government size, quality of political and legal institutions. In addition, by adopting natural disaster data, we show that food insecurity has causal negative effect on life satisfaction. In particular, a one standard deviation increase in instrumented food insecurity decreases life satisfaction by 0.8 points (slightly less than one standard deviation). The results remain robust for a series of tests. Future studies should extend our findings by exploring the role of food security in other measures of quality of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Raufhon Salahodjaev & Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, 2021. "The Link between Food Security and Life Satisfaction: Panel Data Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2918-:d:512680
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Elzaki, Raga M., 2023. "Challenges of food security in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: an empirical analysis of fixed and random effects," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 9(1), March.
    3. Avom, Desire & Yselle Malah, Flora, 2022. "Social media and happiness nexus in the millennial generation," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(8).

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