India Ranks 100th in 2026 Global Hunger Index
The latest Global Hunger Index places India 100th out of 122 surveyed nations, trailing behind regional averages.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nutrition
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India placed 100th in the 2026 Global Hunger Index, while neighboring Pakistan ranked 106th out of the 122 countries assessed. The index tracks hunger through four indicators including undernourishment and child health metrics.
Why it matters
The index provides a standardized framework to measure and monitor hunger levels across national, regional, and global scales. It helps identify countries where intervention is most critical to reducing malnutrition and child mortality.
India reports an undernourishment rate of 9.8 percent, with 29.3 percent of children under five stunted and 19 percent experiencing wasting. Currently, 2.7 percent of Indian children die before reaching the age of five.
The players
Global Hunger Index
This is an annual report that measures and tracks hunger at global, regional, and national levels.
The details
The Global Hunger Index calculates scores by evaluating undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. Results are benchmarked against the highest worldwide levels recorded since 1988 to determine severity across the included 122 nations.
Timeline
The 2026 Global Hunger Index rankings were released in 2026.
The Big Picture
This report updates the tracking methodology established by the 1988 Global Hunger Index baseline to maintain longitudinal consistency. It highlights how current national hunger levels diverge from established global progress indicators.
This index highlights critical areas for public health focus, particularly regarding child development and nutrition. It serves as a benchmark for international aid organizations and health practitioners assessing vulnerable populations.
The takeaway
The 2026 index shows that 24 countries have achieved a low hunger score of below 5.0. Understanding these metrics helps identify the specific nutritional interventions needed to address child stunting and mortality globally.
Further reading
For more information on nutritional health standards and regional trends, visit our Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Indian Express.
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