Resources around the world

Why resources matter

are things people need and use, such as food, water and energy. They are vital for and :

Food gives people energy to work and learn, and protects them from disease. Undernourished children grow and learn less well.
Clean water is needed for drinking, cooking and washing, and to grow food and run industries. Dirty water spreads disease.
Energy lights and heats homes, runs schools, hospitals and factories, and pumps water.

Countries with secure supplies of all three can develop faster.

Key terms

Food around the world

On a world map of hunger, the highest rates are in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia; the lowest are in North America, Europe and Australia.

According to the UN's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025:

about 673 million people, 8.2% of the world's population, faced hunger in 2024;
307 million of them were in Africa, more than 20% of its people.

Meanwhile, people in HICs eat more than they need, and much food is wasted. The world produces enough food for everyone: the problem is who can grow it, and who can afford it.

Key terms

Water around the world

Water is unevenly spread, because rainfall and population don't match: some dry regions have many people, while some wet regions have few.

According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF:

in 2024, 2.1 billion people, 1 in 4 of the world's population, lacked safely managed drinking water;
106 million drank straight from untreated rivers, lakes and ponds.

On a map, is highest in North Africa, the Middle East and parts of South Asia. People in HICs use much more water each than people in LICs, for homes, industry and farming.

Key terms

Energy around the world

Energy use is very uneven: people in HICs use far more energy each, for heating, cooling, transport and industry, than people in LICs.

According to the International Energy Agency:

730 million people had no electricity in 2024;
eight in ten of them live in sub-Saharan Africa.

On a map of energy use per person, the highest figures are in North America, the Middle East, Europe and Australia; the lowest in Africa and parts of Asia. Energy production is also uneven: countries with oil, gas or coal, or good sites for dams and wind, have more.

Exam tip

Describe a world map pattern with named regions and figures, then explain it.

Key terms

Exam practice

Plan your own answer first, then open the model answers to see what each level looks like.

6 marks · about 6 minutes

Explain why food, water and energy are important to people's well-being.

Explain means: Give the reasons why something happens, developing each point with "because" or "so".

Level 1 (Basic)· 2/6 marks (band 1–2)

People need food, water and energy to live. Without them they get ill.

Why this level: A correct general point, but not explained for each resource. To reach Level 2: explain why each of the three matters for health, work or development.

Level 2 (Clear)· 4/6 marks (band 3–4)

Food gives people energy to work and learn, and protects them from disease. Clean water is needed for drinking, cooking and washing, and dirty water spreads diseases. Energy is needed to light and heat homes and to run schools, hospitals and factories.

Why this level: All three resources clearly explained. To reach Level 3: develop each point further and link the resources to economic development.

Level 3 (Detailed)· 6/6 marks (band 5–6)

Food gives people the energy to work and learn, and protects them from disease; undernourished children grow less well and do worse at school, which affects their whole lives. Clean water is needed for drinking, cooking and washing, and to grow food and run industries, while dirty water spreads diseases such as cholera, which keep people from working. Energy lights and heats homes, runs schools, hospitals and factories, and powers transport, so without it people have fewer chances to study, stay healthy or earn money. Countries with secure supplies of all three can develop faster, because a healthy, educated workforce can be more productive.

Why this level: Detailed explanation of all three resources, each developed and linked to well-being and development. This is Level 3.

Take the quiz