India is currently in 94th spot in the Global Hunger Index 2020 and continues to be in the severe hunger category.
South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara have the worst hunger conditions among global regions.
The GHI is “a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and national levels”. Data from the United Nations and other multilateral agencies are used for the calculation.
India’s neighbours- Pakistan is at 88, Nepal at 73, Bangladesh at 75, Sri Lanka at 64, Myanmar at 78.
“India—the region’s most populous country—experienced a decline in under-five mortality in this period, driven largely by decreases in deaths from birth asphyxia or trauma, neonatal infections, pneumonia, and diarrhea. However, child mortality caused by prematurity and low birthweight increased, particularly in poorer states and rural areas. Prevention of prematurity and low birthweight is identified as a key factor with the potential to reduce under-five mortality in India, through actions such as better antenatal care, education, and nutrition as well as reductions in anemia and oral tobacco use,” the study recommends.
According to the 2020 GHI, no country that has been ranked falls in the “extremely alarming” category on hunger. Three countries – Chad, Timor-Leste and Madagascar – have come under the “alarming” category.
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