The most self-sufficient countries in the world

When it comes to choosing the most self sufficient countries in the world, there are so many factors to keep in mind, but for this list, we’ll look at the factors of power and food produced within the country’s borders in comparison to its population. Only renewable energy sources will be taken into consideration since countries like the US have huge amounts of oil reserves but these are ultimately finite and will someday run out.

Iceland

Population – 338,349 (2017)
Food production – 30%
Power from renewable sources – 100%

Iceland is an interesting example as it’s the only country that has consistently produced all of its power demands from renewable energy sources, mostly Geothermal and water energy. The country is covered in ice and snow and has 32 volcanic systems under its surface, which break out into more than 130 volcanic mountains. The unlimited supply of water combined with intense underground heat sources that will last for thousands of years has allowed Iceland to harness Geothermal energy in larger amounts than it has the population for.

Iceland could power several million homes from its Geo-thermal plants but since the population of the entire island is less than half a million, this has allowed for unlimited energy. Food on the other hand is another story, but the country already supplies 100% of its meat and dairy demands, but vegetables and grain can only be grown in specific areas. Due to its harsh climate, Iceland is forced to import almost everything that isn’t meat, but in the event it was forced to become self-sufficient in food overnight it could indeed feed everyone, but it would be on a diet of nothing but meat and fish.

Argentina

Population – 44.27 million (2017)
Food production – 100%
Power from renewable sources – 20% (target for 2020)

Argentina is the one country in the world that is currently meeting all of its home food consumption needs, with enough productive farming land to produce all the food requirements for its entire population.

The country still imports a great deal of food but mostly things it cant grow in the climate or that grow better else were, but if it had to Argentina could stop all exports and use its home-produced food to feed everyone in the country, though it still has a long way to go when it comes to energy.

Uruguay

Population – 3.457 million (2017)
Food production – 65%
Power from renewable sources – 95%

A very well-rounded country when it comes to self-sufficiency rates, with its renewable energy sources making huge strides over the last 10 years, and the country is rapidly approaching meeting 100% of its energy demands. It’s also a major exporter of food and sends out huge amounts of vegetables and meat.

In 2007 Uruguay was recorded as having 12 million cattle in the country, which for the population at the time would mean there were four cows for every person. Since it’s a large country with a small population, it allows for crops and animals to be mass-produced on land that most other countries simply don’t have. Even though it still imports food it has the option of being able to feed 100% of its own people and most of the population of its neighbouring countries.

Australia

Population – 25,259,765 (2019)
Food production – 250%
Power from renewable sources – 21.3% (2018)

Due to how hot and open the country is it’s a surprise they don’t produce more solar and wind energy, with their renewable sources being spread out between all the different types instead of harnessing the most efficient methods.

When it comes to food Australia is one of the world leaders in terms of how much it produces in comparison to its population. The country still imports a huge amount of food but these are mostly things it either can’t grow or out-of-season goods the population wants all year round. With its enormous expanses of land and relatively small population in comparison to the country’s size, this has led farmland to become cheap and plentiful. If the self-sufficiency switch was flicked then Australia could feed itself 2.5 times over, but most of it would have to be eaten raw as it doesn’t even meet a quarter of its energy needs.

Ukraine

Population – 44.83 million (2017)
Food production – 75%
Power from renewable sources – 60%

Even though both of the figures for power and food aren’t at 100%, the country grows enough food within its borders to be able to feed its entire population, but it also happens to be one of the major exports of grain in Europe. It produces corn, wheat, and millet and exports them mostly to surrounding nations, but if need be Ukraine could easily feed its own population even though it would mostly be on grain. Renewable energy rates within the country have been increasing over the last decade, with its overall production going up by 1 or 2% each year.

New Zealand

Population – 4.794 million (2017)
Food production – 50%
Power from renewable sources – 80%

The country already meets all of its own food demands when it comes to meat and grain, but with so much mountainous land in the country, this has led to more land being good for raising sheep and goats than for growing crops. If it needed to the country could feed itself though the diet would be mostly meat and cereals, but it has enough spare land to increase its vegetable production if it had to.

The hilly terrain makes it an excellent place for wind turbines, with many spread out across the countryside and more being built each year. The country aims to be 100% self-sufficient in energy by the year 2030.

Canada

Population – 37.06 million (2018)
Food production – 80%
Power from renewable sources – 17.3% (2017)

As the worlds 6th largest producer of wheat, Canada could easily feed its own population if it had to, but like most other countries it imports a great deal of food it cant grow itself. Each year the country produces around 25 million tons of wheat which on its own could feed well over half its population, but since people don’t like to eat the same thing over and over its forced to import huge amounts of food to keep people happy.

If forced it could feed its population starting tomorrow, but energy production is still a long way off. The country has numerous underground heat sources perfect for Geo-thermal energy and wind turbines are very productive on the vast open plains, but the problem is the countries size. Since its so spread out it would be difficult from a financial perspective to build large turbines or make Geo-thermal plants for thousands of small villages, but if it was given a time limit and cost wasn’t a factor it could indeed create 100% of its energy demands, but like everywhere else it always comes down to money.