India’s position in the Global Hunger Index 2023 has been revealed, placing the country at the 111th position out of 125 countries. This ranking reflects a score of 28.7, signifying a serious level of hunger. India lagged behind neighboring countries, including Pakistan (102nd), Bangladesh (81st), Nepal (69th), and Sri Lanka (60th).
Several key indicators contributed to this score. The rate of undernourishment in India stood at 16.6 percent, and under-five mortality was at 3.1 percent. Alarmingly, the prevalence of anemia among women aged 15 to 24 reached a staggering 58.1 percent.
India also earned the dubious distinction of having the highest child-wasting rate globally, at 18.7 percent. Child wasting is a measure of acute undernutrition, based on the weight relative to height.
The Indian government, specifically the Modi administration, criticized the Global Hunger Index, terming it “erroneous and having malafide intent.”
Understanding the Global Hunger Index
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a peer-reviewed annual report published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. It serves as a comprehensive tool for measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels, taking into account multiple dimensions of hunger over time.
The primary objectives of the report are to increase awareness and understanding of the global battle against hunger, provide a means of comparing hunger levels between countries and regions, and draw attention to areas with the highest hunger levels, highlighting the need for intensified efforts to combat hunger in those regions.
