India Ranks 105th in 2024 Global Hunger Index, Faces “Serious” Hunger Levels
India has been ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 27.3, indicating a “serious” hunger situation.
The report, published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, assesses global hunger, with lower scores representing less hunger. While India has improved from its 2023 ranking of 111th, the current position underscores persistent challenges in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity.
India’s Ranking in Global Hunger Index
India’s ranking of 105th places it behind several neighboring countries, including Nepal (68th), Sri Lanka (56th), and Bangladesh (84th), but ahead of Pakistan (109th), Sudan (110th), and Afghanistan (116th). Nations like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda also rank higher than India, reflecting the country’s struggle with hunger compared to its regional peers. At the top of the index, 22 countries, including China, Russia, and Turkey, are jointly ranked first, indicating they face the least hunger.
Child Malnutrition Remains a Critical Issue
Despite some improvements, particularly in reducing child mortality rates, child malnutrition continues to be a serious concern in India. The GHI highlights that while progress has been made in some areas, overall efforts to combat hunger have stagnated globally since 2016. This stagnation poses significant challenges to achieving the global goal of eradicating hunger by 2030.
Global Hunger, Climate Change, and Inequality
The report emphasizes that hunger levels in 42 countries, including India, are classified as “serious” or “alarming.” It also underscores the links between hunger, climate change, and gender inequality, highlighting that global efforts to reduce hunger must address these interconnected issues.
India’s government has previously criticized the GHI reports, questioning their accuracy. However, the 2024 ranking signals the need for more robust measures to combat child malnutrition and food insecurity in the country.
