Understanding the Global Hunger Index 2024

Understanding the Global Hunger Index 2024: Causes, Impacts, and India’s Policy Response

This topic is highly relevant for UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 (Economics – Social Development, Welfare Schemes) and GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy – Food Security, Nutrition, and Allied Issues).

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 is a critical annual report that tracks hunger and malnutrition across the world, offering vital insights for UPSC aspirants on economic, social, and developmental challenges linked to food security. Despite global efforts, the 2024 report reveals that progress in eradicating hunger has slowed significantly, with many regions still grappling with serious or alarming hunger levels. This article unpacks the key findings of the GHI 2024, reasons behind persistent hunger, its impacts, and India’s position and initiatives addressing this crucial issue.

What is the Global Hunger Index?

The GHI is a peer-reviewed, composite tool published jointly by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, aiming to quantitatively assess and compare hunger globally and regionally. It combines four key indicators: undernourishment (percentage of population with insufficient caloric intake), child wasting (low weight-for-height), child stunting (low height-for-age), and child mortality (death rate of children under five). These indicators are compiled into a score reflecting the severity of hunger in countries, categorized as low, moderate, serious, alarming, or extremely alarming.

Key Findings of the Global Hunger Index 2024

• The global GHI score for 2024 is 18.3, classified as “moderate” hunger, showing minimal improvement from the 2016 score of 18.8. This slow progress signals significant challenges worldwide.
• Worldwide, over 733 million people are undernourished, and 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet, aggravated by rising food prices and economic hardships.
• The report identifies 42 countries with hunger levels classified as “serious” or “alarming,” threatening the global goal of Zero Hunger by 2030. At the current pace, many countries may not achieve low hunger levels until after 2160.
• Child malnutrition remains grave, with 148 million children stunted and 45 million wasted globally.
• Armed conflicts, climate change, economic downturns, food inflation, and social inequalities compound the hunger crisis.
• India ranks 105th out of 127 countries, scoring 27.3, classified as having “serious” hunger levels but showing slight improvement from previous years.

Causes Behind Hunger According to the 2024 Report

• Conflict and Displacement: Wars in regions such as Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria cause displacement, disrupt agricultural activities, and restrict access to food supplies.
• Climate Change: Severe droughts, floods, and erratic weather reduce agricultural productivity, especially damaging in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Economic Instability: Inflation and economic shocks reduce purchasing power, making nutritious food unaffordable for vulnerable populations.
• Poverty and Inequality: Inequitable access to food due to socioeconomic disparities persists; women and children bear the brunt.
• Governance Challenges: Insufficient social safety nets, lack of enforcement of the right to food, and fragile institutions amplify hunger.

Impact of Hunger and Malnutrition

• Chronic hunger causes irreversible physical and cognitive impairment in children, lowering educational outcomes and earning potential later in life.
• Hunger contributes to approximately 5 million child deaths annually, primarily due to malnutrition-related illnesses.
• Economic repercussions include diminished labor productivity, increased healthcare burdens, and entrenched poverty cycles.
• Worsening food insecurity fuels social and political instability across affected regions.

India’s Hunger Scenario and Policy Response

India’s GHI score of 27.3 places it within the “serious” hunger category. Major challenges include high rates of child stunting (35.5%) and wasting (18.7%), among the highest globally, alongside persistent undernourishment. Maternal malnutrition remains a key driver of child malnutrition.

The Government of India has launched significant interventions, such as:

• Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): A flagship program to improve nutritional outcomes among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through convergence of multiple schemes.
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (Food Security): Ensuring free or subsidized food grains for vulnerable sections.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting climate-resilient practices.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Providing health, nutrition, and early childhood education services.

Despite these efforts, challenges lie in improving the quality of diets, addressing regional disparities, strengthening healthcare and sanitation, and ensuring effective implementation across states.

Way Forward: Policy Recommendations

• Enhance nutrition-sensitive social protection schemes targeting women and children.
• Prioritize dietary diversity and quality alongside caloric sufficiency.
• Invest in climate-resilient agriculture to secure food production under changing climate conditions.
• Address gender inequality and empower women as agents of nutrition and food security.
• Accelerate improvements in maternal health and sanitation.
• Strengthening governance mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient delivery of food security schemes.

Conclusion

The Global Hunger Index 2024 highlights a sobering reality of stagnant global progress against hunger, exacerbated by complex crises. India’s “serious” ranking underscores the need for intensified, multisectoral efforts to combat malnutrition and food insecurity effectively. For UPSC aspirants, understanding this nexus of economic vulnerability, social policy, and governance is key to grasping India’s developmental challenges and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.