The Global Hunger Index 2019 jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe has ranked India at 102 among the 117 countries. The report studies hunger levels in all countries. With a score of 30.3, the report stated that the hunger level in the country is “serious”.

The index is calculated on the basis of four levels – undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality. It read, ” Because of its large population, India’s GHI indicator values have an outsized impact on the indicator values for the region. India’s child wasting rate is extremely high at 20.8 percent—the highest wasting rate of any country in this report for which data or estimates were available. Its child stunting rate, 37.9 percent, is also categorized as very high in terms of its public health significance. In India, just 9.6 percent of all children between 6 and 23 months of age are fed a minimum acceptable diet.”

The index also stated that during 2015–2016, 90 percent of Indian households used an improved drinking water source while 39 percent of households had no sanitation facilities. Out of the 117 countries, 43 had serious levels of hunger and four countries including Chad, Madagascar, Yemen and Zambia had alarming levels of hunger. Meanwhile, Central African Republic had extremely alarming levels of hunger.

The country has gained a position compared to previous year (103). But the score is way below from 2010, when it ranked was 95. Meanwhile, India’s neighbours Bangaladesh at 88, Pakistan at 94, Nepal at 73, and China at 25.