DNA Explainer: How the Global Hunger Index ranking is calculated?

After India was ranked 101 in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) for 2021 from 94 in the previous year, India reacted angrily on Friday, calling the methodology used for the rankings unscientific. The new rankings place India behind its South Asian neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The report by GHI has termed the level of hunger in India as 'alarming'. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) report was prepared by the Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide and Germany's Welt Hunger Hilfe after calculating GHI scores for 116 countries. 

Neighbours Nepal has been ranked 76, Bangladesh 76, Myanmar 71 and Pakistan 92 in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) report. This means these countries have fared better at feeding their citizens than India.

Meanwhile, India is shocked by the drop in its position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) which tracks hunger and malnutrition in different countries. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) showed that 18 countries, including China, Brazil and Kuwait ranked first, with GHI scores of less than five.

How the GHI ranking was calculated?

The GHI score is based on four indicators - undernourishment, child stunting, chronic undernutrition and child mortality.

For calculations, child wasting means the share of children under the age of five who have low weight for their height.

The assessment is based on the results of a 'four question' opinion poll, which was conducted telephonically by Gallup.

The scientific measurement of undernourishment would require the measurement of the weight and height of children.

What the Global Hunger Index report 2021 says

The report said that wasting among children in India increased from 17.1% between 1998 and 2002 to 17.3% between 2016-2020.

The GHI report stated that after India was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has the highest child-wasting rate worldwide.

India showed improvement in indicators such as the under-five child mortality rate, as per the Global Hunger Index score.

Position on two indicators namely child wasting and child stunting has remained unchanged in 2021 compared with 2020.

The prevalence of stunting among children and the prevalence of undernourishment owing to inadequate food remains high.

The GHI report further stated that in the Indian context the food security is under assault on multiple fronts.

Worsening conflict, weather extremes and the economic and health challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic are all driving hunger.