A Multidimensional Index to Quantify Food Insecurity in Brazil (MUFII): An Approach Based on Sustainable Development Indicators

Food insecurity is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon embedded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing it requires robust tools and indicators that reflect the diverse and interconnected drivers of hunger, particularly in countries of the Global South. This study proposes the Multidimensional Food Insecurity Index (MUFII) and illustrates its construction and application through a case study in Brazil. MUFII’s development included four main steps: (1) collecting indicators from official open data sources, (2) selecting indicators, (3) normalizing these indicators, (4) calculating the index using the average of the standardized indicators, and (5) conducting validation and sensitivity analyses. The index ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating worse levels. MUFII was calculated for all 27 Federative Units of Brazil and for the years 2018 and 2022. The index score ranged from 0.09 to 0.67 in 2018 and from 0.10 to 0.72 in 2022. Higher index scores were observed for Federative Units located in the North and Northeast of the country in both years, with the situation worsening in 2022, even among those with low scores in 2018. Validation and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the index. By expanding the diagnosis of hunger beyond single-dimension metrics, MUFII provides a systemic framework for monitoring food insecurity and identifying policy priorities. Its methodological structure is scalable and replicable, offering a practical tool for tracking progress towards the SDGs in diverse national contexts.