Bridging Affordability, Nutrition, and Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Microsimulation Approaches in Food Security Research1
- University of Galway, Ireland
- Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research, Luxembourg
Cite this article
as: G. Al-Masbhi, C. O’Donoghue, D. M Sologon; 2026; Bridging Affordability, Nutrition, and Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Microsimulation Approaches in Food Security Research1; International Journal of Microsimulation; 19(1); 33-59.
doi: 10.34196/ijm.00334
Figures
Figure 1
Theoretical framework for examining food security using a value chain and microsimulation modelling approach.
Figure 2
Framework for integrated policy analysis using microsimulation models.
Figure 3
Selection choices.
Figure 4
Geographical scope.
Figure 5
Publication trends, unit of analysis, and sample size.
Figure 6
Impact analysis.
Figure 7
Nutrients Modelled
Figure 8
Policy Analyses
Tables
Table 1
Food security dimensions.
| Analytical Focus | Number of Papers | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Microsimulation Models | 60 | 100% |
| At Least One Dimension | 60 | 100% |
| Environment | 12 | 20% |
| Affordability | 57 | 95% |
| Nutrition | 41 | 68% |
| Environment affordability | 3 | 5% |
| Environment Nutrition | 5 | 8% |
| Affordability Nutrition | 27 | 45% |
| All Dimensions Discussed | 10 | 16% |
Table 2
Application by geographical spread.
| Application Category | Africa | Asia | North America | Europe | Australia/Oceania | South America | Cross Continent (Asia/ Africa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Assistance Programs/Food Stamps | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Environmental Sustainability | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Social Protection and Food Security | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Economic Policies and Fiscal Studies | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Agricultural Development and Policies | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Health Impact and Diet Quality | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Climate Change and Food Production | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Taxation and Health Economics | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Table 3
Type of survey
| Household Budget survey | |
|---|---|
| Type of Survey | Number of Papers |
| Household Budget Survey (HBS) / Household Income, Consumption & Expenditure Survey (HICE) | 39 |
| Rural Household Survey | 2 |
| Individual Household Method (IHM) Survey | 1 |
| Total | 42 |
| Food and Nutrition/Nutrition/ DHS Surveys | |
| Food and Nutrition Survey or DHS | 12 |
| Nutrition Survey – Medical Expenditure Panel Survey | 2 |
| Mapping Food Environment Survey | 2 |
| UN Data & Demographics | 1 |
| Total | 17 |
| Both | 1 |
| Total | 60 |
Table 4
Drivers analysed in papers and their coverage
| Drivers | Socio-economic and Policy Drivers | Environmental and Production Drivers | Demographic and Agricultural Drivers | Health | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drivers | Socio-economic | Policy | Consumer behavior and food preferences | Markets | Bio-physical | Supply Chain | Agricultural productivity | Demographic and Spatial | Health/ Disease Factors |
| Number Papers | 59 | 53 | 30 | 49 | 13 | 12 | 29 | 23 | 25 |
| Share | 97% | 87% | 49% | 63% | 21% | 20% | 48% | 38% | 41% |
Data and code availability
This study is based on a review of existing literature. The materials and references used in the analysis are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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