Analyzing the Global Hunger Index 2024: India's Status

GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2024 and INDIA

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) serves as an essential tool for assessing hunger across nations using four critical indicators. Each indicator's weight is vital for understanding the extent and severity of hunger in a country. Below is a detailed examination of how each indicator contributes to the GHI calculation:

• Undernourishment (33.3% of the total score): This measures the percentage of the population experiencing chronic food deprivation due to insufficient caloric intake. It constitutes a significant portion of the GHI score.
• Child Wasting (16.7% of the total score): This indicator assesses the percentage of children under five who are underweight for their height, indicating acute undernutrition.
• Child Stunting (16.7% of the total score): Child stunting measures children under five who are too short for their age, reflecting prolonged undernutrition.
• Child Mortality (33.3% of the total score): The mortality rate of children under five is a significant factor, highlighting the impact of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy living environments.

Significance of These Weights

The weight distribution in the GHI illustrates the multifaceted nature of hunger. It focuses on chronic issues like undernourishment and child mortality, while also addressing immediate nutritional stresses through wasting and stunting. This balanced approach aids in identifying critical areas for intervention, thus guiding effective policy and aid priorities.

UNDERSTANDING INDIA’S 2024 GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX RANKING

India's rank in the 2024 Global Hunger Index is termed “serious,” indicating persistent challenges in combating hunger. With a score of 27.3, India holds the 105th position out of 127 countries, categorizing it alongside nations like Pakistan and Afghanistan. In contrast, neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka fall into the “moderate” category.

FAQs on the Global Hunger Index and India’s Position

Q1. What is the Global Hunger Index?
Answer: The GHI is an annual report that evaluates global hunger based on undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality rates.

Q2. How is India’s GHI score calculated?
Answer: India's score of 27.3 reflects data on undernourishment, stunting, wasting among children under five, and child mortality rates.

Q3. Why is India in the ‘serious’ category?
Answer: This classification results from high levels of child undernutrition and significant overall undernourishment in the population.

Q4. How does India compare to its neighbors?
Answer: India faces greater hunger challenges than Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which have better GHI scores and are categorized as “moderate.”

Q5. What does this ranking mean for India?
Answer: It emphasizes the urgent need for improved policies and interventions to enhance health outcomes and quality of life for its population.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What does the GHI measure?
A) Economic growth
B) Global hunger levels
C) Education rates
D) Health statistics
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which indicator has the highest weight in the GHI?
A) Child Wasting
B) Undernourishment
C) Child Stunting
D) Child Mortality
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: How is India's GHI score categorized in 2024?
A) Moderate
B) Serious
C) Alarming
D) Low
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: Which country ranks higher than India in the GHI?
A) Bangladesh
B) Afghanistan
C) Pakistan
D) Nepal
Correct Answer: A

Question 5: What is the main challenge for India regarding hunger?
A) Overpopulation
B) Food wastage
C) Child undernutrition
D) Climate change
Correct Answer: C

Question 6: Which indicator measures acute undernutrition?
A) Undernourishment
B) Child Stunting
C) Child Mortality
D) Child Wasting
Correct Answer: D

Question 7: What does a high child mortality rate indicate?
A) Good health services
B) Prolonged undernutrition
C) Economic stability
D) High education levels
Correct Answer: B