Demographic factors affecting food security in rural Lattakia Governorate

Abstract

The research was conducted based on the preliminary data of a random sample of 384 rural households in Lattakia, after designing a questionnaire for the purpose of the research. The data was collected between (September 1 and November 15, 2023). The multiple linear regression model was used to study the impact of demographic factors on food security for households in the rural of Lattakia Governorate, and to identify the most influential of these factors, in addition to providing an estimated view of the conditions of household food security by using the food expenditure share index used by WFP

The results showed that the majority of rural households suffer from economic vulnerability, as their share of food spending exceeded 65% of their total spending. The percentage of food-secure households was estimated at about (42.6%), compared to (57.4%) for households suffering from food insecurity. The impact of gender of the head of household was positive and significant, compared to the negative and significant impact of each of household size, marital status of the head of household, and the number of those enrolled in education, on family food security. The research recommended taking these variables into consideration when developing demographic and population policies, which would positively reflect on the food security of rural society.