Global Hunger Index 2024 ranks India under ‘serious’ category

India has slipped further down the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, ranking 107th out of 121 countries, placing it in the “serious” category, a significant decline from its 2022 ranking of 102nd. This downward trend reflects the country’s ongoing struggle with malnutrition and food insecurity, despite its economic progress. The GHI, a tool used to track and measure hunger around the world, assesses four key indicators:

1. Undernourishment: Proportion of the population with insufficient calorie intake
2. Child wasting: Proportion of children under five years of age who are wasted (low weight for their height)
3. Child stunting: Proportion of children under five years of age who are stunted (low height for their age)
4. Child mortality: Proportion of deaths in children under five years of age, primarily attributed to malnutrition

India’s score on the GHI 2024 is 29.3, putting it firmly in the “serious” category. Countries with a score of 20-34.9 fall into this category. India’s ranking and score have been deteriorating consistently, highlighting a serious issue that requires urgent attention. The reasons for this decline are complex and multifaceted.

According to the GHI report, several factors contribute to India’s precarious food security situation:

• **Inadequate dietary intake:** Millions of Indians still struggle to access sufficient nutritious food, leading to a high prevalence of undernourishment and micronutrient deficiencies.
• **High child malnutrition:** India has one of the highest rates of child stunting and wasting in the world, reflecting underlying issues with access to healthcare and adequate nutrition.
• **Disparities in access:** The GHI report highlights vast disparities in access to nutritious food between different social groups, regions, and socioeconomic strata. Poverty, unequal access to education, and lack of healthcare facilities disproportionately impact the most vulnerable populations.
• **Climate change:** Extreme weather events and climatic variations can significantly impact agricultural yields, leading to food shortages and price spikes, further exacerbating the issue of food insecurity.
• **Inefficient food systems:** India faces challenges in optimizing its food production and distribution networks, resulting in losses and waste. This inefficiency limits the availability of nutritious food for the most vulnerable communities.

The GHI 2024 underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve India’s food security situation. Addressing malnutrition and ensuring food access for all citizens require comprehensive and collaborative efforts from the government, civil society, and private organizations. The report highlights the following key recommendations:

1. Strengthening safety nets and social protection programs: Implementing targeted schemes to support vulnerable families and communities with direct financial assistance, nutrition programs, and access to healthcare.
2. Promoting agricultural diversification and sustainable farming practices: Investing in research and development of climate-resilient crops and livestock, and supporting small-scale farmers with improved access to inputs, technologies, and market information.
3. Improving nutrition and health programs: Expanding access to healthcare services, focusing on maternal and child health, and strengthening early childhood development interventions to address the root causes of malnutrition.
4. Strengthening food systems and supply chains: Reducing food losses and waste through improved infrastructure, logistics, and storage facilities, and implementing programs that promote efficient and equitable distribution of food.
5. Enhancing public awareness and advocacy: Educating the public on the importance of nutrition, addressing cultural practices that contribute to malnutrition, and advocating for policies that prioritize food security and nutrition.

India’s persistent struggle with hunger is a complex challenge with profound implications for the country’s economic and social development. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach involving government interventions, societal partnerships, and community mobilization. The GHI 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a renewed commitment to eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all Indians.