Global Hunger Index 2021 – UPSC Prelims

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Global Hunger Index 2021:
  • India ranked 101/116
  • India slipped 7 places from last year’s rank of 94.
  • Even the index showed India is improving its absolute score, its rank slipped because others did better.
  • India has the highest prevalence of wasted children under five years in the world, which reflects acute undernutrition.
What is Global Hunger Index (GHI)?
  • The GHI is a multidimensional statistical tool used to describe the state of countries’ hunger situation.
  • Released by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide
  • It ranks countries on a 100-point scale. Zero on the scale is the best score (no hunger), and 100 is the worst.
  • It highlights successes and failures in hunger reduction and provides insights into the drivers of hunger. Thus, GHI aims to trigger actions to reduce hunger.
  • The GHI is calculated by taking into account four indicator parameters. They are :
    1. Undernourished population (1/3rd weight),
    2. Child wasting (1/6th weight),
    3. Child stunting (1/6th weight) and
    4. Infant mortality rate (1/3rd weight).
  • It is important to note that the undernourishment or insufficient calorie intake is applicable for all age groups, whereas the remaining three are confined only to children under five years.
  • Stunting: Deficiency in height in relation to age, reflects chronic undernutrition.
  • Wasting: Low weight in relation to a child’s height, reflects acute undernutrition.
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