Pakistan Ranks Lowest in Global Hunger Index 2026

Pakistan scored 25.5 and ranked 106th among 122 countries with sufficient data in the 2026 Global Hunger Index (GHI). The score falls in the GHI’s “serious” hunger category. The index was released around 14 October 2026 under the theme “No Security Without Food Security”.

Global Hunger Index: Indicators and Categories

The Global Hunger Index measures hunger using four indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and under-five mortality. Undernourishment measures the share of the population with insufficient dietary energy intake. Child wasting refers to low weight for a child’s height, while child stunting refers to low height for a child’s age. The GHI score ranges from 0 to 100, with lower scores representing less hunger. Scores from 20.0 to 34.9 fall in the “serious” category; scores from 35.0 to 49.9 fall in the “alarming” category. The 2026 report was jointly prepared by Welthungerhilfe, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum, and Helvetas.

Pakistan’s Hunger and Nutrition Indicators

The 2026 GHI records that 16.1% of Pakistan’s population is undernourished. Among children under five, 33.6% are stunted and 9.8% are wasted. The under-five mortality rate is 5.6%. Pakistan’s score declined from 36.2 in 2000 to 25.5 in 2026. The report records a deterioration in conditions since 2018. Economic instability, rising food prices and climate-related challenges are cited as factors associated with food insecurity in Pakistan.

South Asia’s Regional Scores

South Asia’s overall GHI score was 23.5, within the “serious” category. Afghanistan scored 28.6, compared with Pakistan’s 25.5. Pakistan therefore ranked as the second-worst country in South Asia by GHI score, behind Afghanistan.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Global Hunger Index uses four indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and under-five mortality.
• A GHI score from 20.0 to 34.9 falls in the “serious” category.
• Pakistan’s 2026 score was 25.5, and its rank was 106th among 122 countries with sufficient data.
• Afghanistan scored 28.6 in the 2026 GHI, compared with South Asia’s regional score of 23.5.

The 2026 Global Hunger Index report was themed “No Security Without Food Security”. Pakistan’s score was 10.7 points lower in 2026 than in 2000.