The latest Global Hunger Index (GHI) Report for 2019 has placed India at the 102nd position out of 117 countries. This comprehensive report is a joint effort by Concern Worldwide, an Irish agency, and Welt Hunger Hilfe, a German organization. The ranking is established based on four key indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.
India’s Ranking in the Global Hunger Index
In comparison to the past rankings, India’s position has significantly deteriorated. In 2010, it stood at the 95th place but has dropped to the 102nd spot in 2019. A more drastic decline is seen when considering the long-term trend; from 83rd out of 113 countries in 2000, India has slid to 102nd out of 117 countries in 2019.
The Issue of Child Wasting in India
One of the most alarming findings of the report is the high rate of child wasting in India. The country recorded an exceedingly high rate of 20.8%, the highest across all the nations included in the study. Child wasting refers to an acute form of undernutrition, where children under five years have significantly low weight compared to their height. In India, child wasting has experienced a steep increase, going from 16.5% in the 2008-2012 period to 20.8% in the 2014-2018 span. As highlighted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), child wasting is a potent predictor of mortality among children under the age of five.
Progress in Other Indicators
Despite the grave issue of child wasting, the GHI report noted some positive improvements in India’s performance in other areas. These include the under-5 mortality rate, the prevalence of stunting among children, and the prevalence of undernourishment due to inadequate food.
The Impact of Sanitation and Hygiene
The GHI report also highlighted the importance of sanitation and hygiene on health and nutrition. The practice of open defecation, a common problem in India, poses severe threats to health and impacts children’s growth and nutrient absorption capacities. According to the report’s data from 2015–2016, while 90% of Indian households used an improved drinking water source, as many as 39% of households had no sanitation facilities.
| Year | India’s GHI Rank |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 83 out of 113 |
| 2010 | 95 out of 117 |
| 2019 | 102 out of 117 |
Key Takeaways from the Report
A balanced analysis of the Global Hunger Index report presents mixed results for India. While there has been progress in certain areas such as reduction in under-5 mortality rate and prevalence of stunting in children, the country is grappling with serious issues like child wasting and lack of sanitation facilities. It is clear from the findings that these are urgent areas which need immediate attention and intervention from the policy makers. A multi-pronged approach that includes nutritional support, health services, and sanitation infrastructure could be key to improving India’s rank in future GHI reports.
