The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) highlights a shocking reality about hunger in India: the country’s undernourished population, which is approximately 200 million people, would be comparable to the population of Brazil, ranking as the seventh largest country in the world. This means that around 14% of India’s total population is undernourished, an alarming statistic that casts doubt on the country’s ability to ensure basic food and nutrition for its people. The GHI, in its 19th edition, uses comprehensive data to determine global hunger levels, and in India’s case, it specifically relies on data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) statistical reports. These reports are published annually by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and include essential information on births, deaths, and both infant and maternal mortality rates. Other contributing data sources are the Ministry of Women and Child Development and NITI Aayog.
The 2024 GHI analyzed 127 countries, with rankings ranging from “low” to “extremely alarming.” India was classified as “serious,” ranking 105th with a score of 27.3. However, some argue that the situation in India could be seen as “extremely alarming” when considering other relevant factors, including the systemic failure to provide adequate food and nutrition. The GHI underscores how critical food security is for realizing the so-called “demographic dividend,” a term frequently used to describe India’s young and rapidly growing population as an economic asset. However, the inability to meet basic nutritional needs severely undermines this potential.
India, which was the fastest-growing economy in 2024, achieved a growth rate of 6.8% with an estimated GDP close to $4 trillion, making it the fifth largest economy globally. Despite this, the country’s per capita income of $2,485 was less than a quarter of the global average of $13,920 as of 2022. This vast income inequality plays a significant role in the varied disposable incomes across the country, which affects access to basic necessities like food. Food inflation, in particular, has surged dramatically between 2022 and 2024, rising from 3.8% to 7.5%. This inflation disproportionately impacts the poor, making it even harder for vulnerable populations to afford nutritious food.
The 2023-24 Economic Survey attributes the rise in food prices to several factors, including extreme weather events, low water reservoir levels, and damaged crops, all of which have negatively affected farm output. However, these challenges have coincided with one of India’s highest levels of food production, reaching 332 million tonnes in the 2023-24 period. The rise in food production was mainly driven by bumper harvests of rice and wheat, though pulses and vegetables were significantly affected by extreme weather conditions.
Despite high food production, India’s alarming infant mortality rate and child malnutrition statistics indicate severe shortcomings in its healthcare and social safety systems. In 2022, India’s infant mortality rate was 26 per 1,000 live births, which is close to the global average of 28 per 1,000. More troubling are the rates of child stunting and wasting, which stand at 35.5% and 18.7%, respectively. These figures reveal the extent to which India’s young children are affected by malnutrition, as stunting refers to children who are too short for their age, while wasting describes children who are too thin for their height.
These health indicators paint a dire picture of India’s food security and public health system, particularly when compared with global benchmarks. India’s struggle with child malnutrition has long been recognized, yet significant progress remains elusive. Experts point to various causes, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, insufficient access to nutritious food, and systemic poverty, which continues to leave millions of children at risk of malnutrition-related complications.
Adding to the complexity of this crisis is the growing impact of climate change, which has already started to affect India’s food security. Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves have become more frequent, disrupting crop cycles and threatening future food production. India’s ability to feed its population is becoming increasingly precarious as climate change continues to challenge its agricultural output and disrupt food supply chains.
Though India has seen impressive economic growth, the benefits of this growth have not been distributed equally across its population. Income inequality remains a significant issue, contributing to disparities in access to food and basic services. While the country’s overall wealth has increased, many Indians still struggle to meet their daily nutritional needs. This is especially true for those living in rural areas, where poverty rates are higher, and access to healthcare and nutritious food is more limited.
The rising costs of essential food items, driven by inflation, exacerbate the hunger crisis. With food inflation more than doubling between 2022 and 2024, many families find it increasingly difficult to afford nutritious meals. The Economic Survey’s acknowledgment of food inflation being driven by extreme weather and crop damage highlights the intersection of economic and environmental challenges that India faces in its quest for food security.
Despite the grim statistics, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives to combat hunger and malnutrition. Programs such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), which provides subsidized food to millions of low-income households, and the Midday Meal Scheme, aimed at providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren, are essential components of India’s food security strategy. However, the effectiveness of these programs has been questioned, particularly in reaching the most vulnerable populations and addressing the underlying causes of hunger.
India’s food security is further complicated by its rapid population growth. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the country must continuously increase its food production to meet rising demand. Yet, even with record-high food production levels, access to nutritious food remains a challenge for many, particularly those living in poverty. This paradox underscores the complexity of India’s hunger crisis, where the availability of food does not necessarily translate into equitable access.
The 2024 Global Hunger Index serves as a stark reminder of the challenges India faces in ensuring food security for its population. With roughly 200 million undernourished people, the country’s hunger crisis is not only a humanitarian concern but also a threat to its economic future. As income inequality persists, inflation rises, and climate change continues to affect agricultural output, India must address these systemic issues to protect its most vulnerable citizens from hunger and malnutrition. The failure to do so will have far-reaching consequences, not only for the health and well-being of its population but also for its long-term economic growth and stability.