Manila:Bangladesh has secured the 84th position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, achieving a score of 19.2, which places the country within the 'moderate' hunger category.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the index evaluates hunger and undernutrition based on four indicators undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and under-five mortality. In this year's ranking, Bangladesh is ahead of India and Pakistan but trails behind Nepal. India is ranked 100th with a score of 24.1, and Pakistan is 106th with a score of 25.5, both categorized under 'serious' hunger. Nepal, meanwhile, stands at 72nd with a score of 14.5, also classified as 'moderate.'
The Global Hunger Index is an annual publication by Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe, and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), aimed at evaluating hunger and undernutrition on a global scale. The 2026 report underscores the resurgence of global hunger due to conflicts, climate challenges, and economic downturns affecting food security.
In Bangladesh, 8.2 percent of the population faces undernourishment. Among children under five, 24 percent suffer from stunting, and 12.9 percent experience wasting. The under-five mortality rate stands at 3 percent. However, there has been notable progress in reducing child stunting, which has decreased from 54.9 percent in 2000 to 24 percent in the latest findings, marking a significant improvement.
The GHI classifies hunger levels with scores below 10 indicating low hunger, scores between 10 to 19.9 indicating moderate hunger, 20 to 34.9 as serious hunger, 35 to 49.9 as alarming hunger, and scores of 50 or above as extremely alarming. This index serves as a tool to track and address hunger and undernutrition worldwide.