Global Hunger Index 2024

What is it?

The Global Hunger Index is an annual score ranking countries of the world on hunger levels.
The Index is a peer-reviewed report released annually by Concern Worldwide, Ireland based humanitarian agency and Welthungerhilfe, one of the largest private aid organisations in Germany.
The GHI determines hunger on a 100-point scale, where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each country’s GHI score is classified by severity, from low to extremely alarming.
It is based on 4 indicators:
- Undernourishment – population with inadequate food availability
- Child wasting – the share of children under the age of five who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition
- Child stunting – children under the age of five who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic undernutrition
- Child mortality – the mortality rate of children under the age of five.
The reason for mapping hunger is to ensure that the world achieves “Zero Hunger by 2030” — one of the Sustainable Development Goals laid out by the United Nations. It is for this reason that GHI scores are not calculated for certain high-income countries.

Highlights of the Index

India has been ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the latest Index, placing it in the “serious” category for hunger levels.
With a GHI score of 27.3, India’s performance remains concerning, particularly when compared to its South Asian neighbours such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which fall into the “moderate” category.
India is listed alongside countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, which also face severe hunger challenges.
The report reveals alarming statistics: 13.7 percent of India’s population is undernourished, 35.5 percent of children under five are stunted, 18.7 percent suffer from wasting, and 2.9 percent of children die before their fifth birthday.
- These figures reflect deep-rooted issues related to undernutrition, unhealthy environments, and inadequate access to essential nutrients.
The Global Hunger Index 2024 calls for more decisive action to address hunger in India and warns that without significant progress, the hunger crisis in the world’s poorest countries could persist for decades.

Today Current Affairs Upsc Exam Syllabus & Previous Yearpaper.