Bangladesh's ranking in the Global Hunger Index has declined, standing 84th among 127 countries, with a score of 19.4.
Last year, Bangladesh ranked 81st with a score of 19.
The level of hunger in Bangladesh is classified as "moderate."
Meanwhile, compared to 2016, hunger levels decreased in Bangladesh this year; that year, the score was 24.7.
GHI scores are based on the values of four component indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.
According to the index, 11.9% of the population in Bangladesh is undernourished, and 2.9% of children die before reaching their fifth birthday.
Due to malnutrition, 23.6% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth (height not increasing in proportion to age). Additionally, 11% of children under five experience wasting (weight not increasing in proportion to height).
Based on the values of the four indicators, a GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale reflecting the severity of hunger, where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each country’s GHI score is classified by severity, from low to extremely alarming.
Among South Asian countries, Sri Lanka ranks 56th, Nepal 68th, followed by Bangladesh.
India ranks 105th and Pakistan stands at 109th.
This year’s hunger index indicates that the level of hunger in South Asia is severe, due to economic challenges, natural disasters, and malnutrition.
In South Asia, 282 million people are malnourished.
Furthermore, hunger levels are alarming in six countries: Burundi, Chad, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.
In 36 countries, hunger levels are classified as severe, while in 22 countries, hunger is at a very low level.
