GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2023
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool that measures and tracks hunger at both global and national levels. It is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of hunger and undernutrition worldwide. The GHI is published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe and is an important resource for policymakers, researchers, and organizations working to address hunger and malnutrition.
The GHI takes into account several key indicators to calculate and rank countries according to their hunger levels. The indicators include:
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Undernourishment: This indicator measures the proportion of the population with insufficient caloric intake, often expressed as the percentage of the population with a caloric intake below the minimum dietary energy requirements.
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Child Stunting: Stunting is a condition in which children experience impaired growth due to chronic undernutrition. It is assessed by measuring the height-for-age ratio of children under five.
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Child Wasting: Wasting is a condition characterized by low weight-for-height, often resulting from acute malnutrition, illness, or inadequate food intake. It is also assessed among children under five.
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Child Mortality: The child mortality rate is an important component of the GHI, as children who are undernourished are more vulnerable to illnesses and have a higher risk of mortality.
The GHI then combines these indicators to calculate a score for each country, which is used to rank them. The GHI is scored on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 being the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst (severe hunger). Countries with higher scores are considered to have more severe hunger and undernutrition issues.
3. Global Hunger Index 2023
- India has a score of 28.7, indicating a serious level of hunger. The country came after neighbouring countries Pakistan (102nd), Bangladesh (81st), Nepal (69th) and Sri Lanka (60th).
- However, India fared better than South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara, which recorded a score of 27 each
- While the rate of undernourishment in India stood at 16.6 percent and under-five mortality at 3.1 percent, the prevalence of anaemia in women aged between 15 and 24 years stood at 58.1 percent
- As per the index, India also has the highest child wasting rate in the world at 18.7 percent, reflecting acute undernutrition. Wasting is measured based on children’s weight relative to their height.
- India ranked 107th out of 121 countries in the 2022 edition of the Global Hunger Index (GHI), a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels
- The 2023 Global Hunger Index (GHI) shows that, after many years of advancement up to 2015, progress against hunger worldwide remains largely at a standstill. The 2023 GHI score for the world is 18.3, considered moderate and less than one point below the world’s 2015 GHI score of 19.1
4. Other terms related to Hunger
| Term | Definition |
| Undernutrition | Undernutrition refers to a state in which an individual does not receive adequate nutrition, which can lead to malnutrition. It encompasses various forms, including stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies |
| Malnutrition | Malnutrition is a broader term that encompasses both undernutrition (inadequate food intake or nutrient absorption) and overnutrition (excessive food intake or consumption of unhealthy foods). It includes conditions like stunting, wasting, and obesity. |
| Anemia | Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, which can result from a lack of iron, vitamin B12, or other essential nutrients |
| Obesity | Obesity is the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat, often resulting from excessive food consumption, particularly of high-calorie and low-nutrient foods |
Hunger in India is a complex issue influenced by various interrelated factors. The causes of hunger in India can be categorized into several key factors:
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Poverty: Poverty is a major driver of hunger in India. A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, which limits their ability to access adequate and nutritious food. Many people struggle to afford a balanced diet, leading to chronic food insecurity.
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Unequal Distribution of Resources: The unequal distribution of wealth and resources exacerbates hunger. Disparities in income and land ownership lead to unequal access to food, with marginalized and disadvantaged communities often suffering the most.
- Healthcare and Sanitation: Inadequate healthcare and sanitation can lead to poor health and malnutrition, especially among children. Without access to clean water and sanitation facilities, the risk of waterborne diseases and malnutrition increases.
- Agricultural Challenges: Agriculture is a crucial sector in India, but it faces challenges such as low productivity, lack of modern farming techniques, and dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Crop failures due to droughts, floods, or other weather-related events can result in food shortages.
- Climate Change: India is vulnerable to climate change, which can lead to more frequent and severe weather events, including droughts and floods. Climate-related disasters can negatively affect crop yields and food production.
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Public Distribution System (PDS)
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Mid-Day Meal Scheme
National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyaan)
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
National Food Security Act (NFSA)
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For Prelims: Global Hunger Index, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
For Mains: All the related issues regarding Poverty and hunger in India
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Previous Year Questions
1. Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (UPSC CSE 2016)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only Answer : (c) 1.Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO. (UPSC CSE Mains 2013) |
