Global Hunger Index 2018: Key Findings

The 2018 global hunger index is prepared by Welthungerhilfe together with Concern Worldwide. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has stepped aside from its involvement in the report.

Calculation of the Index:

• The Index ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst.
• Values from 0 to 9.9 reflects low hunger, values from 10.0 to 19.9 reflects moderate hunger, values from 20.0 to 34.9 reflects serious hunger, values from 35.0 to 49.9 reflects alarming hunger, and values of 50.0 or more reflects extremely alarming hunger levels.
• The index is based on the following four parameters
  1. The proportion of the undernourished as a percentage of the population
  2. The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from wasting;
  3. The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from stunting;
  4. The mortality rate of children under the age of five.

Findings of the 2018 report

India has been ranked at the 103rd position among 119 countries. India is among the 45 countries that have “serious levels o f hunger.

• India is ranked below many neighbouring countries, including China (25th spot), Nepal (72), Myanmar (68), Sri Lanka (67) and Bangladesh (86).  GHI scores for South Asia and Africa south of the Sahara reflect serious levels of hunger.
• The world has made gradual, long-term progress in reducing overall hunger, but this progress has been “uneven”. Areas of severe hunger and undernutrition stubbornly persist reflecting human misery for millions.
• Around 124 million people suffer acute hunger in the world which is a striking increase from 80 million two years ago.
• The reality of hunger and undernutrition continues to have a massive impact on the next generation.

About 151 million children are stunted and 51 million children are wasted across the globe.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2018