Global Hunger Index, 2020

On October 16, 2020, the Global hunger index was launched. It is jointly prepared by Welhunger life and Concern Worldwide. According to the report, India ranked 94th among 107countries. The report put India under serious category with the score of 27.2.

Key highlights of the report

The report says that India has serious levels of Hunger. The child stunting rate in India was 37.4 %. That is, 37.4% of child population (0-5 years) in India face stunting. The child wasting was at 17.3 %. The undernourishment rate of India was at 14% and child mortality at 3.7 %. India’s neighbourhood perform better than India. Nepal was at 73rd rank Bangladesh and Pakistan at 75th and 88th rank respectively.

Between 1991 and 2014 the countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan faced concentrated stunting among children. The main reasons behind stunting in these countries are poor dietary diversity, household poverty and low levels of maternal education.

About the report

The report scores the countries based on four indicators such as undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality. According to the report, undernourishment is the share of population whose caloric intake is not sufficient. Child wasting is the children who have low weight for their height. Child stunting is the children who have low height for their weight. For this the children of age below 5 are considered.

Predictions of the report

The report says that given the trajectory, the world will not be able to achieve zero hunger by 2030. Zero hunger is one of the major sustainable development goals of the United Nations.

Countries behind India in the index

The countries such as Korear at rank 96, Rwanda at 97, Nigeria at 98, Afghanistan at 99, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mozambique were all ranked behind India in the Global hunger index.

In 2018 India ranked 103 in global hunger index. In 2019, India ranked 102 in global Hunger Index.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020