Why in the News?
India’s ongoing battle with hunger and malnutrition has been highlighted in the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), where the country ranks 105th out of 127 nations with a score of 27.3, placing it in the ‘serious’ category. Despite being one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India lags behind many of its South Asian neighbours, underscoring the need for urgent and effective interventions.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- What is the GHI?
- Highlights of the 19th GHI 2024
- India-Specific Findings in the GHI 2024
- India’s Performance Trends in the GHI
- Addressing Hunger and Malnutrition in India
What is the GHI?
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an annual, peer-reviewed publication that measures and tracks hunger levels globally, regionally, and nationally. It reflects various dimensions of hunger over time.
Launched in 2006, the GHI was initially published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Germany-based Welthungerhilfe. In 2007, Concern Worldwide, an Irish NGO, became a co-publisher. Since 2018, the Global Hunger Index has been a joint project of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide.
The Global Hunger Index aims to:
- Raise awareness about global hunger.
- Provide a comparative platform for countries and regions.
- Highlight regions requiring immediate action to eliminate hunger.
Highlights of the 19th GHI 2024
Theme: The theme for 2024 is “How gender justice can advance climate resilience and zero hunger.”
Global Hunger Statistics:
The global Global Hunger Index score of 8.3 shows slight improvement from the 2016 score of 18.8.
An estimated 2.8 billion people worldwide cannot afford a healthy diet.
Regional Disparities:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: The region experiences the highest rates of malnutrition and child mortality, with conflicts in countries like Somalia and Sudan worsening the hunger crisis.
- South Asia: Nations like Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan face considerable hunger challenges.
Challenges:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger by 2030:
Global Hunger Index 2024 shows that 42 countries face alarming or serious hunger levels, signaling stagnation despite decades of progress.
- Gender Disparity: Discriminatory norms and violence make women particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, limiting their access to essential resources.
Underlying Causes of Hunger:
Climate Change: Environmental degradation affects food production, threatening the agricultural foundation of many economies.
Armed Conflicts: Wars and conflicts displace populations, disrupt food systems, and affect agriculture.
Economic Instability: Lower-income countries often face heavy debt burdens, reducing funding available for critical developmental needs.
Success Stories: Despite global challenges, countries like Mozambique and Nepal have made notable improvements in their Global Hunger Index scores since 2016, demonstrating that progress is achievable.
Call to Action: The Global Hunger Index 2024 urges coordinated global efforts to address interconnected crises like climate change, armed conflict, gender inequality, and economic instability. The report particularly highlights the need to support vulnerable populations, especially women, in the fight against hunger.
India-Specific Findings in the GHI 2024
1. Child Malnutrition:
- Stunting: Around 35.5% of children under five suffer from stunting, indicating chronic undernutrition.
- Wasting: 18.7% of children show signs of acute malnutrition (wasting).
These figures highlight inadequate nutrition during critical developmental phases, severely affecting physical and cognitive growth.
- Undernourishment: Approximately 13.7% of the overall population is undernourished, marking this as a persistent issue.
2. Child Mortality:
- Although child mortality has improved, with 2.9% of children dying before the age of five, the overall hunger situation in India remains dire.
- The relationship between malnutrition and child mortality underscores the urgency of addressing hunger.
India’s Performance Trends in the GHI
1. Minimal Progress:
- Over the last decade, India’s performance has shown limited improvement, moving from a score of 29.3 in 2016 to 27.3 in 2024.
- Gains in areas like child mortality have been made, but the core issue of hunger persists.
2. Comparison with Neighbors:
- India’s Global Hunger Index performance is alarming when compared to neighboring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, which, despite having fewer economic resources, fare better.
- This gap suggests that economic growth alone does not automatically translate into improved nutrition or hunger outcomes.
Addressing Hunger and Malnutrition in India
Comprehensive Solutions:
India’s Global Hunger Index score highlights that economic progress alone is insufficient to eradicate hunger. A more holistic approach is necessary to tackle the deep-rooted causes of malnutrition.
Key Areas for Policy Intervention:
- Food Security: Ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all sections of the population is critical.
- Healthcare: Enhancing healthcare infrastructure will help improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions.
- Maternal and Child Nutrition Programs: Targeted nutritional programs for mothers and young children are essential to breaking the cycle of malnutrition and improving long-term health.
India’s journey to eliminate hunger and malnutrition demands multifaceted interventions, combining policy reforms, community-level initiatives, and global cooperation to achieve significant improvements in the near future.
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