Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024: India's Hunger Challenge

India ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2024, with a score of 27.3. India's score is based on four key indicators: 13.7% undernourishment, 35.5% stunted children under five, 18.7% wasting, and 2.9% child death before their fifth birthday.

India's Ranking and Performance in GHI 2024

India ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024
Placed in the "serious" category with a GHI score of 27.3
Ranked alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan in hunger levels
Improvement from 111th rank in 2023, but direct comparison not advised

Four key indicators contributing to India's score:

13.7% of the population is undernourished
35.5% of children under five are stunted
18.7% of children under five suffer from wasting
2.9% of children die before their fifth birthday

Global Context and Comparisons

GHI published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe
127 countries ranked based on undernourishment and child mortality indicators
South Asian neighbors like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in "moderate" category
Globally, 733 million people face daily hunger
About 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet
African nations in "alarming" category due to conflicts and civil strife
Food crises in Gaza, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Mali, and Syria

Challenges and Future Projections

UN Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030 unlikely to be achieved
Disparity between right to food standards and reality in many parts of the world
India's GDP growth declined during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic
Increased per capita dietary energy supply offset by higher caloric losses in retail distribution
Rising dietary energy needs and greater inequality in caloric intake
Prevalence of undernourishment in India rose from 2017-2019 to 2020-2022
Slight improvement in undernourishment levels since 2022

Government Initiatives and Policy Recommendations

Mid Day Meal Programme to improve nutrition and school attendance
National Food Security Act, 2013 for subsidized food grains
Poshan Tracker to monitor child nutrition
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for additional food support during COVID-19
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to tackle malnutrition

Policy recommendations from GHI report:

Enhance accountability and enforce the right to food
Promote gender-sensitive approaches in food and climate policies
Invest in justice for gender, climate, and food
Direct public funds towards reducing inequalities

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