According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, which was adopted by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Somalia was the most affected by hunger and malnutrition, with an index of 44.1. Yemen and Chad followed behind. The World Hunger Index combines three indicators: undernourishment, child underweight, and child mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa most affected The index is dominated by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the region, more than one fifth of the population is undernourished . In terms of individuals, however, South Asia has the highest number of undernourished people. Globally, there are 735 million people that are considered undernourished or starving. A lack of food is increasing in over 20 countries worldwide. Undernourishment worldwide The term malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition occurs when an individual cannot maintain normal bodily functions such as growth, recovering from disease, and both learning and physical work. Some conditions such as diarrhea, malaria, and HIV/AIDS can all have a negative impact on undernutrition. Rural and agricultural communities can be especially susceptible to hunger during certain seasons. The annual hunger gap occurs when a family’s food supply may run out before the next season’s harvest is available and can result in malnutrition. Nevertheless, the prevalence of people worldwide that are undernourished has decreased over the last decades, from 18.7 percent in 1990-92 to 9.2 percent in 2022, but it has slightly increased since the outbreak of COVID-19. According to the Global Hunger Index, the reduction of global hunger has stagnated over the past decade.

According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, hunger worldwide decreased since 2000, but the pace of the reduction has slowed since 2016. In the Middle East and North Africa, for instance, the hunger index value was the same in 2024 as in 2016, and it had even increased marginally in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2024, Somalia had the highest index score worldwide, meaning it was the country where hunger was most prevalent. The World Hunger Index combines four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.

In 2024, Somalia had the highest ranking Global Hunger Index (GHI) within Eastern African at 44.1, indicating an alarming hunger situation. The country has experienced heavy rainfall and flooding after an extended period of drought, which has led to food insecurity as a result. Mauritius scored the lowest GHI in the region, with a score of 12.8, representing a moderate foo insecurity.

In 2024, Zambia had the highest ranking Global Hunger Index (GHI) within Southern African at 30.7, indicating a serious hunger situation. The country has experienced its worst drought in decades, which has led to food and water being scarce. South Africa scored the lowest GHI in the region, with a score of 12.5, representing a moderate food insecurity.

Global hunger index of Pakistan improved by 4.89% from 26.60 index in 2023 to 27.90 index in 2024. Since the 13.68% slump in 2020, global hunger index surged by 13.41% in 2024. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally, regionally, and by country

According to the Global Hunger Index, India had an index value of **** in 2023. The composition of the index was a combination of different indicators such as undernourishment, child underweight, and child mortality. India's score indicates a serious level of hunger crisis, placing the country at a position of ***** out of 121 countries that year. However, the country had improved the situation from ** index points falling in the category of alarming level in 2000.

18,60 (index) in 2024. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally, regionally, and by country

7,70 (index) in 2024. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally, regionally, and by country

5,00 (index) in 2024. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally, regionally, and by country

Historical chart and dataset showing Italy hunger statistics by year from 2001 to 2022.

12,50 (index) in 2024. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally, regionally, and by country

The global landscape of mortality has undergone significant changes from 1990 to 2021, but cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2021, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 28.6 percent of all deaths, followed by cancers at 14.6 percent. Notably, COVID-19 emerged as the third leading cause of death in 2021, responsible for 11.6 percent of global fatalities. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The emergence of COVID-19 as a major cause of death underscores the profound impact of the pandemic on global health. By May 2023, the virus had infected over 687 million people worldwide and claimed nearly 6.87 million lives. The United States, India, and Brazil were among the most severely affected countries. The pandemic's effects extended beyond direct mortality, influencing healthcare systems and potentially exacerbating other health conditions. Shifts in global health priorities While infectious diseases like COVID-19 have gained prominence, long-term health trends reveal significant progress in certain areas. The proportion of neonatal deaths decreased from 6.4 percent in 1990 to 2.7 percent in 2021, reflecting improvements in maternal and child health care. However, challenges persist in addressing malnutrition and hunger, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The Global Hunger Index 2024 identified Somalia, Yemen, and Chad as the countries most affected by hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the ongoing need for targeted interventions in these regions.