Global Hunger Index (GHI)

1️⃣ What is the Global Hunger Index?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) measures hunger and undernutrition at the global, regional, and national levels.

It is a composite index.

It does not measure food production alone.

It measures nutritional outcomes.

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2️⃣ Who Publishes It?

Published jointly by:

Concern Worldwide (Ireland-based NGO)
Welthungerhilfe (German NGO)

Prelims trap:

GHI is NOT published by:

• UNDP

• FAO

• World Bank

This is a very common mistake.

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3️⃣ Indicators Used in GHI

GHI is based on four indicators:

1. Undernourishment (share of population with insufficient calorie intake)

2. Child wasting (low weight-for-height)

3. Child stunting (low height-for-age)

4. Child mortality (under-five mortality rate)

UPSC loves asking which indicators are included.

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4️⃣ India’s Latest Rank

📌 Global Hunger Index 2024:

India ranked 111th out of 125 countries

India falls under the category of "serious" hunger level.

This ranking has been debated domestically, but for UPSC you follow report data.

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5️⃣ What GHI Does NOT Measure

❌ Total food production
❌ Agricultural output
❌ GDP growth
❌ Poverty alone

It measures nutrition outcomes, not just availability of food.

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6️⃣ Important Conceptual Clarity

Child wasting reflects acute undernutrition.
Child stunting reflects chronic undernutrition.

UPSC may test this distinction.

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7️⃣ Why GHI Is Controversial

Concerns raised include:

• Sample size issues
• Methodology criticism
• Data source disputes

But for prelims, you must know:

Publisher + indicators + rank.

Opinion does not matter in objective questions.

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8️⃣ Static Linkages

Related concepts:

• National Food Security Act
• Public Distribution System
• POSHAN Abhiyaan
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme

UPSC may connect hunger with welfare schemes.

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9️⃣ Common Prelims Traps

• Confusing GHI with Global Food Security Index.

• Thinking FAO publishes GHI.

• Assuming GHI measures calorie production only.

• Mixing wasting and stunting definitions.

• Confusing hunger index with poverty index.

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10️⃣ Likely Question Patterns

• Which organisation publishes Global Hunger Index?
• Which of the following are indicators used in GHI?
• What does child wasting indicate?
• GHI measures which of the following?

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🔁 Quick Recall Box

✔ Published by: Concern Worldwide + Welthungerhilfe
✔ Latest India rank (2024): 111 / 125
✔ Measures hunger through 4 indicators
✔ Includes child wasting & stunting
✔ Does NOT measure food production directly