The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025 has been released, titled as "20 Years or Tracking Progress: Time to Recommit to Zero Hunger". GHI 2025 marks the world's slow progress towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal-2 (SDG-2) of Zero hunger by 2030. Global hunger has seen little reduction since 2016 (in 2016 the GHI score was 19.0 and in 2025 GHI score stands at 18.3), and stalled progress is pushing the 2030 target of Zero Hunger out of reach.
The report underscores that at least 56 countries will not reach low hunger or much less Zero Hunger by 2030. If progress remains at the pace observed since 2016, low hunger at the global level may not be reached until 2137 -more than a century away.
About Global Hunger Index (GHI)
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) established in 2006. It is a tool developed to measure and monitor hunger levels across the world over time. It helps raise global awareness about the fight against hunger, compares hunger situations among different countries and regions, and highlights those areas where food insecurity is most severe and urgent action is needed.
The report is jointly published by the Irish humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide and the German aid agency Welthungerhilfe. Since 2024, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) has joined as an academic partner to strengthen the research and data quality of the Global Hunger Index.
GHI uses a 100-point scale and assign each country a score ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 is the best possible score (No Hunger) and 100 is the worst (Extremely Alarming Hunger). This GHI Score is based on the values of four component indicators:
- Undernourishment- Share of the population not getting enough calories.
- Child Wasting- Percentage of children under 5 who have low weight for their height (acute malnutrition).
- Child Stunting- Percentage of children under 5 who have low height for their age (chronic malnutrition).
- Child Mortality- Death rate of children under the age of 5 (partly linked to undernutrition).
These indicators reflect not just food access but also healthcare, sanitation, maternal health, and education, which together influence nutrition outcomes.
Global Hunger Index 2025 trends for India
In the 2025 edition of the Global Hunger Index, India has been ranked 102nd out of 123 countries with a GHI score of 25.8, placing India in the serious hunger category. Countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have performed better, indicating that India needs stronger efforts in fighting hunger and malnutrition.
Indicator-Wise Performance of India:
The following table shows how India has performed on each of the four GHI indicators-
| Indicator | India's Value (2025) |
|---|---|
| Undernourishment | 12.0 % |
| Child Wasting | 18.7 % |
| Child Stunting | 32.9 % |
| Child Mortality (Under-5) | 2.8 % |
- India’s child wasting rate (18.7 %) is the second highest globally, indicating severe nutritional imbalance.
- Child stunting and undernourishment remain serious public-health concerns.
- Although child mortality has declined over the years, progress in nutrition and health services must accelerate.
Causes Behind India's Hunger and Malnutrition
The main reasons behind India’s low ranking are poor diet quality, poverty, lack of maternal care, and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Rural and tribal areas continue to face food shortages and weak health infrastructure.
Despite government programmes like Poshan Abhiyaan, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, gaps in implementation, awareness, and reach affect their overall success. Many families depend heavily on staple foods like rice and wheat but lack adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals in their diets. This leads to hidden hunger - when calories are available, but nutrition is not.
As well as The Global Hunger Index (GHI 2025) identifies five major causes that contribute to hunger and malnutrition across countries: These are 1. Conflict and Political Instability, 2. Climate Change and Environmental Stress, 3. Economic Inequality and Poverty, 4. Weak Health and Sanitation Systems, and 5. Food System Inefficiency.
Impact and Implications
High rates of child wasting (18.7%) show that many children are not receiving proper nutrition during their early years. This not only affects their physical growth but also their mental development and immunity.
Poor nutrition impacts productivity, learning ability, and national growth. Experts believe that solving hunger is not only a social goal but also an economic necessity for sustainable development.
To improve nutrition and food security in India, both central and state governments must work together with a strong, evidence-based approach. Some key steps include:
- Promoting balanced diets that include pulses, vegetables, milk, and fruits.
- Improving maternal and child healthcare at the local level.
- Ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation to reduce diseases linked to malnutrition.
- Encouraging community awareness about healthy eating and hygiene.
Conclusion
The Global Hunger Index 2025 ranking of 102 is a reminder that India must focus on improving the quality of nutrition rather than just food availability. While the country has made economic progress, child nutrition remains a major concern. Ending hunger requires more than just producing food - it requires ensuring that every citizen, especially children and women, has access to healthy, safe, and diverse meals. With strong policies and collective effort, India can turn its growth into nourishment for all.
MCQs for Practice
Q1. What is India’s rank in the Global Hunger Index 2025?
A. 98th
B. 100th
C. 102nd
D. 110th
Correct Answer: C. 102nd
Q2. What is India’s GHI score in 2025?
A. 23.5
B. 25.8
C. 27.6
D. 29.1
Correct Answer: B. 25.8
Question 6:
Which indicator reflects acute malnutrition among children?
A. Child Stunting
B. Child Wasting
C. Child Mortality
D. Undernourishment
Correct Answer: B. Child Wasting
Q4. Which of the following indicators is not part of the Global Hunger Index calculation?
A. Child Stunting
B. Undernourishment
C. Literacy Rate
D. Child Mortality
Correct Answer: C. Literacy Rate
Q5. The Global Hunger Index is jointly published by which organisations?
A. FAO and IMF
B. Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe
C. World Bank and UNICEF
D. WHO and UNDP
Correct Answer: B. Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe