Hunger index is known as the global hunger index (GHI) is a crucial tool in assessing and calculating hunger and malnutrition at a global scale. It is an indicator that provides insight into the nutritional status of populations in various countries, highlighting areas that need improvement and betterment.
- Global Hunger Index
The Global Hunger Index is a complete measurement developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), concern worldwide. It calculates hunger and malnutrition on a global scale, taking into account several key factors.
Undernourishment: The proportion of undernourished people as a percentage of the population.
Child Stunting: The percentage of children under the age of five who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic malnutrition.
Child Wasting: The percentage of children under the age of five who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute malnutrition. Child Mortality: The mortality rate of children under the age of five.
How is the Hunger Index Calculated?
The GHI is calculated using a formula that takes into account the four key indicators mentioned above. Each of these indicators is given a specific weight in the calculation process. The formula for calculating the GHI is as follows:
GHI = (Undernourishment + Child Stunting + Child Wasting + Child Mortality) / 4
The GHI values range from 0 to 100, with lower values indicating a lower level of hunger and malnutrition. A higher GHI indicates a more severe hunger problem in a given country.
India’s Rank in the Last Five Hunger Indexes
India’s performance in the Global Hunger Index has seen both progress and challenges in recent years. Here is India’s rank in the last five Hunger Index reports:
2019: India ranked 102th out of 117 countries, with a GHI 30.3.
2020: India ranked 94th out of 107 countries, with a GHI score of 27.2.
2021: The GHI report for this year placed India at the 101st position out of 116 countries, with a GHI score of 27.8.
2022: India ranked 107th out of 121 countries, with a GHI score 29.1.
2023: The GHI report for this year placed India at the 111th position out of 125 countries, with a GHI score of 28.7.
Marks (score) obtain by India in GHI by Graph
India’s fluctuating rank in the Global Hunger Index underscores the need for continued efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Government rejection of Global Hunger Index?
1 Three out of four indicators used for calculation of the index are related to health of child and cannot representative.
2 According to ministry fourth and most important indicator estimate of proportion of Undernourishment (PoU) population is based on an opinion poll conducted on a very small sample size of 3000.
Conclusion
The Global Hunger Index is a valuable tool for assessing the state of hunger and malnutrition in various countries. India’s performance in recent years has shown signs of improvement, but there is still much work to be done to ensure food security and proper nutrition for all its citizens. Understanding the Hunger Index and its calculation method is essential for policymakers and organizations working to eradicate hunger and malnutrition globally.
