Access to food, water and energy resources is not shared equally amongst the people of the world.
There are massive inequalities (where people have different access to resources) in people’s access to clean water, reliable energy supplies and adequate food supplies.
The general pattern is for HICs to consume a far higher amount of resources than LICs. We have enough food, fresh water and energy resources to provide for everyone on our planet, but these resources are not evenly distributed or shared.
Supply and consumption of water
The global supply of fresh water is limited and unequally distributed.
The water footprint of countries can be calculated to compare consumption. The global average water footprint is 1240 litres per person. HICs tend to consume more water - for example, the USA's water footprint is 2483 litres per person; whereas LICs tend to consume less water - for example, Bangladesh's water footprint is only 896 litres per person.
Some areas of the world have physical water scarcity (less water due to physical conditions such as a warm, dry climate) - for example, Saudi Arabia and the north of China.
Other areas have economic water scarcity (where they have water supplies, but don't have the money to access them) - for example northern India and most countries in Africa.
Areas of the world with physical and/or economic water scarcity tend to consume less water.
Areas of the world with little or no water scarcity tend to consume the most water - for example, the USA and Europe.
Supply and consumption of food
HICs tend to have a higher calorie consumption than LICs - for example the average calorie consumption in the UK is 3200 calories per person; whereas in Somalia (an LIC in Africa) it is only 1580 calories per person.
There is a correlation between areas of greatest population growth and areas with the highest levels of undernourishment.
Countries with the highest levels of undernourishment are mainly LICs located in Africa - e.g. Ethiopia and Chad; whereas countries with the lowest levels of undernourishment are mainly HICs - e.g. the USA, the UK and Australia.
Supply and consumption of energy
Energy consumption varies considerably in different countries. The richest 1 billion people in the world consume 50% of the world's energy, while the poorest 1 billion consume just 4%.
The areas of the world consuming the most energy are Western Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Libya and South Africa.
The areas of the world consuming the least energy are central Africa, India, South-east Asia, the west of South America.
The areas of the world supplying the most energy are China, Russia and the U.S.A.
The areas of the world supplying the least energy are central Africa, Eastern Europe, Argentina, Mexico, Mongolia and south-east Asia.