Determinants of household food expenditure in Tanzania: implications on food security

Abstract Background Food expenditure in developing countries particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa constitutes about 65–70% of total household expenditure. Existing literature on the determinants of household food expenditure in developing countries have mixed results. Thus, this study aimed at examining the determinants of household food expenditure in Tanzania and their implications on food security using country representative data from the 2017/18 household budget survey. The Two-Stage least squares (2SLS) regression analysis was used as method of analysis. Results Results show that, on average, monthly household food expenditure in Tanzania is about TZS 159, 072. 80 (≈ US 69. 2). Food expenditure exhibited a non-linear relationship with age of household head with income elasticity of 0. 72%. Expenditure also increases with household size, household head sex, education, asset ownership, group membership and marital status while being located in rural areas is negatively associated with food expenditure. Conclusions To increase household’s food expenditure with dietary diversity for improved health, strategies aiming at improving household income, family planning, gender equity, education and social cohesion are important which will further increase household’s food security.