Share of agriculture in GDP (SDG 2.a.1)

Definition

The share of income derived from agriculture is a key parameter in agricultural transformation and the evolution of food systems. Historically, structural transformation has been characterized by a transition from a low-productivity, agriculture-based economy that employs the majority of workers and generates the most output, to one dominated by industry and services and a smaller, more productive agriculture sector.

Relevance

The indicator is a measure of the stage of structural transformation in the economy, closely related to the economic dimensions of food system transformation. It is correlated with economic development: countries with larger share of income coming from agriculture are poorer.

Additional Information

Recommended citation: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: SDG Indicators. [Accessed the first week of every month]. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/SDGB. Licence: CC-BY-4.0.