The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an annual report assessing and ranking countries based on their progress in combating hunger, published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. Countries are scored on a 0–100 scale, with higher scores indicating more severe hunger, based on four key indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality. In the 2024 GHI, India is categorized in the “Serious” range, ranking 105th out of 127 countries with a score of 27.3, despite its status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
India’s low ranking reveals a stark contrast between its economic growth and its performance in addressing hunger and malnutrition, especially compared to neighbouring South Asian countries. This highlights the need for development economists to re-evaluate how they measure a country’s progress. Rather than focusing solely on GDP, they should give greater importance to human development indicators, such as GHIand Human Development Index, to promote a more equitable, welfare-focused model of development.
Though GHI is published at a national level, it sheds light on hunger and under-nutrition challenges that also affect marginalized communities, such as Indian Muslims. While GHI doesn’t provide data specific to religious or ethnic groups, other socio-economic indicators show that Indian Muslims, one of the poorest socio-economic groups in the country, face significant issues related to food insecurity. Reports like the Sachar Committee (2006) and Post-Sachar Evaluation highlight high poverty rates, limited access to education, and fewer employment opportunities, all of which contribute to hunger among Muslims. Despite government initiatives like Public Distribution System (PDS), systemic exclusion and discrimination often prevent Indian Muslims from accessing these services.
A deeper analysis of the Sachar Committee’s findings reveals that while the overall poverty rate for Indian Muslims is lower than that of scheduled castes and tribes, the community still experiences significant deprivation, particularly in urban areas. Many Muslims live in urban slums with limited access to affordable, nutritious food, and face discrimination at ration shops. In states with large Muslim populations, such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, high rates of child malnutrition, stunting, and anaemia are evident.
Hunger among Indian Muslims is part of broader issues of poverty, discrimination, and limited access to welfare programmes. While religious charity plays a role in providing short-term relief, addressing systemic inequality is essential for sustainable solutions. Ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from India’s development efforts will improve the country’s GHI ranking and contribute to food security for all.
Globally, over 1.1 billion people live in extreme poverty, with India having the highest number of poor people, followed by Pakistan. According to the 2024 UN Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, India accounts for 234 million poor people, with Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Congo rounding out the top five countries with the largest impoverished populations.
Islamic teachings emphasise the importance of charity and social justice, particularly in feeding the hungry. Concepts such as Zakat (obligatory almsgiving) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity) are central to poverty alleviation in Islam.
Islam advocates for collective responsibility in addressing hunger, with mechanisms such as:
Zakat: An obligatory annual donation of 2.5% of one’s surplus wealth to the needy.
Waqf: Charitable endowments that fund social welfare projects, including food distribution.
Sadaqah: Voluntary charity for immediate relief efforts, such as disaster response and feeding programmes.
Core Islamic principles on poverty alleviation include:
Human Dignity: Islam emphasizes that every individual deserves dignity and access to basic needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare (Qur’an 17:70).
Social Responsibility: Wealth is viewed as a trust from Allah, and individuals are encouraged to share with the poor and marginalized (Qur’an 2:177).
Equity, Not Equality: While differences in wealth are natural, Islam stresses economic justice through wealth redistribution to support the poor.
Given these values, development economists should explore the Islamic approach to combating hunger on both national and global levels. A genuine and sincere implementation of these principles could help alleviate poverty and hunger worldwide.