Despite being a major food producer and having extensive food security schemes, India still faces significant levels of food insecurity, hunger, and child malnutrition.
Global Hunger Index (GHI) Ranking: In the Global Hunger Index (GHI) for 2022, India was ranked 107th out of 121 countries, ranking behind countries like Nigeria and Pakistan.
The GHI measures undernourishment, child malnutrition, and under-five mortality.
India is home to 224.3 million undernourished people, with disparities among different states.
State Hunger Index (SHI): The SHI is calculated using indicators like stunting, wasting, mortality among children, and BMI undernourishment among the working-age population.
It ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more hunger.
SHI Categories: Some states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh scored 35, placing them in the 'alarming' category, while states like Chandigarh, Sikkim, Puducherry, and Kerala scored lower, falling under the 'moderate hunger' category.
Historical Comparison: In 2008, a similar assessment of hunger at a subnational level showed variations among states, with Punjab, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh performing well and Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh performing poorly.
Deteriorating GHI Score: India's GHI score has worsened over the past few years, primarily due to an increasing prevalence of calorie undernourishment.
Concerns About Data: The Indian government has disputed the GHI conclusions but has not provided empirical evidence to support its claims.
National Sample Survey (NSS) rounds on nutritional intake have not been conducted since 2011-12.
Child Malnutrition: India ranks poorly in child malnutrition, with a high prevalence of child wasting, stunting, and underweight children.
Persistent Challenges: Despite progress in alleviating extreme poverty, India still faces challenges in addressing food insecurity, hunger, and child malnutrition.
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