AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
Abstract
This study analysed the changes in income distribution and food consumption patterns in Uyo Metropolis,
Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 90 and 179 respondents. The study
utilized a cross sectional data obtained from a sample of 90 and 179 households in 1994 and 2014,
respectively, making a total sample of 269 households that were used for the study. Frequency counts,
percentages, Lorenz curve were used to analyse the data. Findings showed that 55.6 and 68.71% of
households were in the low income group, 32.2 and 22.35% middle income group while 12.2 and 8.94%
were among the high income group, respectively. The mean decadal differences for food expenditure per
household, per capita food expenditure, income per household and income per caput were N45,372.34,
N6208.37, N144,354.30 and N19,642.82. Findings further revealed a decadal differences in income per
household and per caput of N69,714.76 and N12,817.65 for low income group, N187,333.90 and
N29,732.44 for medium income groups and N421,509.2 and N38,042.53 for high income groups,
respectively. Study also showed a Gini Coefficients values of 0.21 and 0.38 for 1994 and 2014, respectively
denoting the prevalence of income inequality within the 2 decades under investigations. Hence, to reduce
income inequality, adequate and effective tax and subsidy measures should be adopted.
Keywords: Households, Income Distribution, Food Consumption, Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria.