Ethnic Diversity and Food Insecurity: Evidence from Ghana

Abstract

We examine the link between ethnic diversity and food insecurity. Using data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey, we measure food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and measure ethnic diversity at the district level using information from the Ghana Population and Housing Census. After addressing endogeneity, we find that an increase in ethnic diversity is associated with an increase in food insecurity. This result is robust to different approaches to addressing endogeneity, different measures of ethnic diversity and alternative ways of conceptualising food insecurity. Our findings further show that trust, threat of criminal violence and threat of war/conflict are important channels through which ethnic diversity influences food insecurity.