Urbanization, food consumption patterns and population growth: challenges for the use of natural resources in México and Brazil

The main goal of this paper is to discuss the relationship between population growth, rising living standards, food consumption patterns, urbanization and the trends in the use of water in the two most populous countries in Latin America: Brazil and Mexico. Although it only comprises 8% of the global population, Latin America constitutes an ideal case to observe population changes, with 79.1% of the population is living in cities (UN, 2011). Cities in this continent show a rate of expansion surpassing the rate of population growth; and the trend is projected to continue in the coming decades, which will increase competition for land, water and other natural resources. Besides, significant changes in consumption patterns have been observed over the last decades, along with the growth of the middle class in many countries across the region. By 2050 population growth and the increasing living standards in much of the world will contribute to increasing food demand by 70%. Latin American countries are most likely going to play a vital role in food production and need to asses important natural resources trade-offs.