Demographic Change and the Global Food System: Conference

While economic growth and prices are closely monitored drivers of food demand, demographic trends—changes in the age structure, immigration, urbanization, and greater female participation in the labor force—are subject to less scrutiny, but may have more profound long-term implications for the global food system. How will these demographic trends affect the global food system, and more specifically, global food consumption patterns?

USDA’s Economic Research Service is hosting a half-day conference on Wednesday, May 25, that will address demographic trends and other related issues affecting the global food economy in an age marked by demographic transformation in both developing and developed countries.

The conference will feature noted speakers from the United States and abroad. Topics addressed will include the following:

• Ongoing and emerging global demographic trends
• Macroeconomic effects of demographic changes
• Demographic changes and food system linkages

Conference participants will be encouraged to share ideas and insights from current research, and provide new ideas for future research.

The conference is free of charge. However, due to space limitations, attendance is limited to the first 50 people to register. For questions about the registration or attendance, please contact Cliola Peterson at (202) 694-5141. For questions about the conference or speakers, please contact Shirley Pryor (202) 694-5263 or Bill Coyle (202) 694-5216.