Food insecurity through the lens of multidimensional poverty: Evidence from Chile

This article explores the connection between food insecurity (FI) and multidimensional poverty (MDP) in Chile using household survey data from 2017 to 2022. We analyze the relationship between the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and five dimensions of MDP-education, work, health, housing, and social networks-. The study employs ordered probit and instrumental variable models to assess how these dimensions influence FI, and also provides a comprehensive public policy review. Our findings reveal that the work, housing, and social network dimensions have the strongest impact on increasing FI, while health and education have a lesser effect. Current public policies in the country focus predominantly on education and health, highlighting a misalignment between policy efforts and the primary drivers of FI. Our results indicate a need for more multisectoral and effective public policy interventions in Chile that can be scaled to other developing countries.