New Delhi has vehemently criticized the Global Hunger Index (GHI) for its 2023 report, contending that it harbors “serious methodological issues.” The latest GHI report revealed that India slipped four places, ranking 111 out of 125 countries, marking a considerable decline from its 2022 position at 107 out of 121 nations.
The GHI report ranked India lower than neighboring countries like Pakistan (102), Bangladesh (81), Nepal (69), and Sri Lanka (60). It highlighted South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa as regions with the most severe hunger levels.
One of the most striking findings in the report was India’s highest child wasting rate of 18.7%, which signifies acute undernutrition. This data was released by Concern Worldwide and Welt Hunger Hilfe, non-government organizations based in Ireland and Germany. In response, India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development criticized the GHI’s methodology, asserting that it does not accurately reflect the country’s hunger situation.
India’s government argued that the GHI relies heavily on indicators related to child health and malnutrition, which do not represent the entire population’s hunger status. Moreover, the key indicator of the proportion of the undernourished population (PoU) was based on an opinion poll with a small sample size of 3,000 respondents.
The government referenced data from the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which estimated India’s PoU at 16.6%. The FAO’s estimate was derived from an opinion poll, raising questions about its accuracy and fairness.
Despite ongoing improvements to the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) survey, which includes changes to the questionnaire, sample design, and size, India expressed regret that the FAO continues to use FIES-based PoU estimates.
In addressing malnutrition, the Indian government highlighted its Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 initiatives. The Poshan Tracker ICT application was developed and deployed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, benefiting millions, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under 6 years.
Moreover, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to support those affected by economic disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative provided free food grains to nearly 800 million beneficiaries, amounting to around 111.8 million tonnes of food grains.
India’s critique of the GHI methodology underscores the complexities and debates surrounding hunger indices and highlights the ongoing efforts to address malnutrition and food security in the country.
Overall, India’s response to the GHI’s findings has been sharp and suggests a desire for a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the nation’s hunger situation.