Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has ranked 84th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, with a score of 19.4, indicating a “moderate” level of hunger.
This marks a decline from last year, when the country ranked 81st with a score of 19.
However, the hunger situation has improved compared to 2016, when Bangladesh had a score of 24.7.
The GHI score is calculated based on four key indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.
According to the 2024 report, 11.9% of the population in Bangladesh is undernourished, and 2.9% of children die before reaching their fifth birthday.
Additionally, 23.6% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth, while 11% experience wasting.The 2024 report is not directly comparable to the 2023 report due to changes in methodology and revised data.
However, it provides comparative figures for the years 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2024, highlighting the progress made over time.
In the South Asian region, Sri Lanka ranks 56th, Nepal 68th, Bangladesh 84th, India 105th, and Pakistan 109th.
The report indicates that hunger in South Asia is “severe,” driven by economic challenges, natural disasters, and widespread malnutrition. Across the region, 282 million people are malnourished.
Globally, hunger levels are most alarming in six countries: Burundi, Chad, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. In 36 countries, hunger is classified as severe, while 22 countries experience very low hunger levels.