The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool developed to measure and track hunger and malnutrition across the world. It is a composite index that takes into account four key indicators – undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality – to provide an overall picture of hunger and malnutrition in a particular country. India, despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, has a poor record when it comes to hunger and malnutrition, as reflected in its Hunger Index ranking.
The Hunger Index ranking is released annually by Concern Worldwide, an international development organization, and Welthungerhilfe, a German non-profit organization. According to the latest ranking released in 2021, India ranks 101st out of 116 countries, with a score of 27.2, which is considered “alarming.” This means that India is among the worst-performing countries in the world when it comes to hunger and malnutrition.
The primary cause of hunger and malnutrition in India is poverty. Despite the country’s economic growth, a significant proportion of the population still lives in poverty, with little or no access to food, clean water, and sanitation. The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the situation, with millions of people losing their jobs and livelihoods.
One of the key indicators used to calculate the Hunger Index ranking is undernourishment, which is measured by the percentage of the population that is undernourished. In India, around 14% of the population is undernourished, which means that they do not get enough food to meet their basic energy requirements. This is a cause for concern, as undernourishment can lead to various health problems, including stunting, wasting, and anemia.
Another key indicator used to calculate the Hunger Index ranking is child wasting, which is a measure of acute malnutrition in children under five years of age. In India, around 17% of children under five years of age suffer from wasting, which is one of the highest rates in the world. This is a cause for concern, as wasting can lead to various health problems, including weakened immunity, stunted growth, and increased risk of mortality.
Child stunting is another key indicator used to calculate the Hunger Index ranking. Stunting is a measure of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age, and it is caused by a lack of proper nutrition in the early years of life. In India, around 37% of children under five years of age suffer from stunting, which is one of the highest rates in the world. This is a cause for concern, as stunting can lead to various health problems, including cognitive impairment, poor school performance, and increased risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.
Child mortality is the fourth key indicator used to calculate the Hunger Index ranking. In India, the child mortality rate is around 3.7%, which means that around 3.7% of children die before the age of five years. This is a cause for concern, as child mortality is often linked to hunger and malnutrition.
In conclusion, India’s poor record on the Hunger Index ranking is a cause for concern, as it highlights the country’s high levels of hunger and malnutrition. The primary cause of hunger and malnutrition in India is poverty, which needs to be addressed through policies and programs that promote inclusive growth and equitable distribution of resources. In addition, there is a need for targeted interventions to address the specific causes of hunger and malnutrition, including undernourishment, wasting, stunting, and child mortality. Only through concerted efforts can India hope to tackle the problem of hunger and malnutrition and ensure a better future for its citizens.
