Empirical Analysis of Household Food Consumption Pattern in Fata Region of Pakistan

Abstract

Fata region has diverse characteristics of income and consumption than the other regions of Pakistan but no study is available in literature which address the household consumption in Fata region. To feel this gap, the study examines the impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors on household’s monthly expenditure on food items in FATA region of Pakistan in 2017. Regression analysis revealed that monthly income of household head, household size, education, experience, and region significantly determined the expenditure on food commodities. Income elasticity of less than unity (0.37<1) confirmed that food commodities are necessities and supported the Engel law. Household size has positively influenced the monthly expenditure on food commodities while education and experience have negatively influenced the food expenditure of households. Empirical results also confirmed that households in Kurrum agency spend less on food commodities as compared to Khyber agency households.