Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2024

Syllabus: Food security.

Source: TH

Context: The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 reports that India continues to face a serious level of hunger, ranking 105th out of 127 countries with a score of 27.3.

India’s Status in GHI 2024 (Crisp Points):

• Rank: India ranks 105th out of 127 countries with a score of 27.3.

• Child wasting: India has the highest global rate of child wasting at 18.7%.

• Stunting: 35.5% of children under five are stunted.

• Undernourishment: 13.7% of India’s population is undernourished.

• Child mortality: 2.9% of children die before their fifth birthday.

• Comparison: India lags behind South Asian neighbors like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which fall into the moderate hunger category.

Methodology used:

• Indicators: GHI uses four indicators – undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.

• Data sources: Data is sourced from UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, and FAO, ensuring comparability across countries.

• Child wasting: The GHI uses survey estimates vetted for inclusion in the Joint Malnutrition Estimates and WHO Global Database.

Limitations of the report:

• Data discrepancies: The Ministry of Women and Child Development raised concerns about GHI not using data from the Poshan Tracker, which shows lower child wasting rates (7.2% vs. GHI’s 18.7%).

• Survey-based estimates: Reliance on survey data might not fully reflect real-time data from government tracking systems.

• National representation: The GHI’s methodology may not capture regional variations and improvements in India’s nutrition programs.

Way Ahead:

• Improved data collection: India should integrate real-time data from systems like Poshan Tracker to improve hunger and nutrition estimates.

• Focus on maternal health: Address the intergenerational transfer of undernutrition by improving maternal health and nutrition.

• Agricultural investments: Increase focus on sustainable agriculture and nutritious crop production like millets to improve dietary diversity.

• Social safety nets: Strengthen access to Public Distribution Systems (PDS) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for better coverage of vulnerable populations.

Conclusion:

India’s performance in the Global Hunger Index highlights serious challenges, especially in child malnutrition. By improving data transparency, maternal health, and investing in sustainable food systems, India can enhance its hunger and nutrition outcomes, aligning better with global targets like Zero Hunger by 2030.

Insta Links:

• Global-report-on-food-crises-2023

• Food-security-in-India

1. 1.Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (2016)

1. 1.Undernourishment

1. 1.Child stunting

1. 1.Child mortality

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1, 2 and 3

d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: c)

1. 1.Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (UPSC-2021)