India’s Position in Global Hunger Index 2023: Insights & Implications

India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023 is a matter of great concern. Ranked 111th out of 125 countries, India faces serious issues related to hunger. Neighboring countries, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, have performed better, highlighting India’s challenges in addressing hunger.

India’s GHI score of 28.7 is categorized as “serious,” showing only a slight improvement from previous years. The score is based on four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. The Indian government has criticized the GHI methodology, arguing it does not fully represent the population’s health.

What is Global Hunger Index?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. It is published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, reflecting multiple dimensions of hunger. It also helps in formulating strategies to address global hunger issues.

The GHI is a peer-reviewed report published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. This index serves as a comprehensive measure to track hunger, providing insights into the severity and multidimensional nature of hunger. It aims to promote awareness and prompt action against hunger worldwide.

Calculation Methodology

The GHI score is derived from four primary indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. These indicators collectively capture the multidimensional aspects of hunger, reflecting chronic and acute undernutrition as well as child mortality, which are critical for understanding the hunger landscape.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The indicators used in GHI align with specific Sustainable Development Goals. Undernourishment aligns with SDG 2.1, which focuses on ensuring access to sufficient and nutritious food. Child stunting and wasting correspond to SDG 2.2, aimed at ending all forms of malnutrition. Additionally, reducing child mortality aligns with SDG 3.2, focusing on preventing child deaths.

Key Takeaways from GHI 2023

India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2023 stands at 111th out of 125 countries, indicating a serious level of hunger. This performance is notably behind neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, highlighting areas needing urgent attention and improvement.

India’s GHI Score

India’s GHI score for 2023 is 28.7, categorized as “serious.” This reflects a marginal improvement from 2015’s score of 29.2 but is significantly better than the scores in 2000 (38.4) and 2008 (35.5). Despite progress, the serious classification underscores ongoing challenges in addressing hunger.

Related Data and References

According to NFHS 2019–2021, child stunting in India is prevalent at 35.5%. Undernourishment affects 16.6% of the population, while child wasting stands at 18.7%, the highest globally. The under-five mortality rate is 3.1%, highlighting critical areas needing intervention to improve child health and nutrition.

Global Hunger Trends

The GHI 2023 report shows that countries like Belarus and China are among the top-ranked, indicating low levels of hunger. Conversely, Yemen and Madagascar are at the bottom. The global GHI score is 18.3, considered moderate, with crises such as climate change, conflicts, and economic shocks exacerbating hunger issues.

Indian Government’s Response to GHI Report 2023

The Indian government has expressed concerns regarding the GHI 2023 report, criticizing its methodology and the implications of its findings. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has pointed out discrepancies and questioned the intent behind the report’s conclusions.

Criticism of Methodology

The government has highlighted serious methodological issues with the GHI, citing data from the Poshan Tracker, which shows child wasting prevalence below 7.2%, contrary to the 18.7% reported by GHI. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy and intent of the GHI report.

Focus on Child Health

The government argues that the GHI’s focus on child health indicators may not fully represent the entire population’s hunger status. The indicators primarily reflect conditions affecting children, which might not provide a comprehensive view of the broader hunger issues.

Small Sample Size

Concerns have also been raised about the small sample size used for calculating the “Proportion of Undernourished Population” indicator. The government suggests that relying on opinion polls from a limited sample may not accurately reflect the true extent of undernourishment.

Complex Factors

The government asserts that hunger indicators like stunting and wasting result from various complex factors, including sanitation, genetics, and environmental conditions, rather than hunger alone. This multifaceted nature of hunger complicates the interpretation of GHI results.

Factors Responsible for Hunger in India

Various factors contribute to the persistent hunger issues in India, ranging from socioeconomic disparities to environmental challenges. Addressing these factors is crucial for achieving food security and nutrition for all.

• Socioeconomic Disparities and Poverty: These factors lead to inadequate food consumption and the inability to afford essential nutritional and healthcare services, exacerbating hunger.
• Hidden Hunger: Hidden hunger, or micronutrient deficiency, is prevalent in India due to poor diets, disease, and inadequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. This deficiency affects overall health and development, particularly among vulnerable populations.
• Inefficient Agricultural Practices and Food Distribution: Suboptimal crop yields, post-harvest losses, and leakages in the supply chain limit food availability, leading to scarcity and higher prices affecting the poor.
• Gender Inequality and Nutritional Disparities: Gender-based disparities in food access within households exacerbate hunger and malnutrition. Women and girls often receive smaller portions or lower-quality diets.
• Climate Change and Environmental Stressors: These factors lead to crop failures and food scarcity, further aggravating hunger issues.
• Lack of Audit for Nutritional Programmes: The absence of nutritional audit mechanisms in government programs hinders the effective implementation and monitoring of nutritional interventions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Global Hunger Index 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the challenges India faces in addressing hunger and malnutrition. Despite significant progress, the road ahead is long and requires a multi-faceted approach. For UPSC aspirants, understanding these complexities and the need for robust, inclusive policies is crucial in contributing to a hunger-free India.