Summary
This modelling study quantifies the labour implications of transitioning global food systems towards healthier and more sustainable dietary patterns. Using an inventory of farm-level labour requirements paired with biophysical input-output modelling, the authors project that adoption of plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural labour demand by 5–28% relative to 2030 business-as-usual scenarios, though with substantial regional heterogeneity: countries dependent on livestock production would see the largest reductions, whilst 25–50% of countries would experience increased labour demand for horticultural production.
UK applicability
The UK's relatively small agricultural labour force and existing livestock-dominated systems suggest potential labour reductions from dietary shifts, but the findings also indicate increased demand for fruit and vegetable production capacity, which may require workforce reallocation and rural economic planning. The study's national-level results would enable UK-specific policy modelling on employment transitions in agriculture.
Key measures
Agricultural labour requirements per food and region; percentage changes in labour requirements by dietary scenario; labour cost changes as percentage of gross domestic product; country-level labour demand shifts across 179 countries
Outcomes reported
The study quantified changes in agricultural labour requirements across 179 countries associated with shifts towards plant-based dietary patterns. It modelled how transitions to flexitarian, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets would affect labour demand in primary agricultural production for 20 food groups.
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