INDIA HAS BEEN RANKED 105TH OUT OF 127 COUNTRIES IN THE 2024 GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX. (PHOTO).

 India has been ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), placing it in the “serious” category for hunger. The report, published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, tracks hunger and undernutrition across the globe. India scored 27.3 on the index, highlighting major challenges related to hunger, malnutrition, and child mortality in the country.

The GHI score is based on four key indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. In India, 13.7% of the population does not get enough calories, while 35.5% of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. Additionally, 18.7% of children under five have low weight for their height, a sign of acute malnutrition. Furthermore, 2.9% of children in India die before the age of five.

India’s ranking is lower than some of its neighbors in South Asia, such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which fall into the “moderate” hunger category. Pakistan and Afghanistan, however, are also in the “serious” category alongside India. This highlights the urgent need for India to step up efforts in fighting hunger and improving nutrition.

With the United Nations’ goal of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 becoming harder to reach, India will need to address the root causes of hunger, improve food security, and ensure better nutrition for its population, particularly for children. The ongoing global food crisis, driven by conflicts and climate change, makes these challenges even more pressing.