Average protein supply

Definition

Grams of protein per person per day that are available in a country's food supply, calculated as a three-year average. This indicator is based on national-level data from FAO's Food Balance Sheets. Note that FAO's methodology for Food Balance Sheets changed for 2014 estimates and after, which may limit comparability pre and post-2014.

Relevance

Increasing the protein in national food supplies may be especially important for countries with a high prevalence of undernutrition. Consumption of animal-source foods, which are protein rich, has been associated with improved child growth (Headey, Hirvonen, and Hoddinott 2018). Plant-based foods such as legumes may also provide an important source of protein. This indicator does not consider protein quality/essential amino acid composition or distribution and access to protein-rich foods among population subgroups.