Measuring hunger is complicated. But if we are going to get to Zero Hunger, then we need to have some way of measuring progress. Since 2006, Concern has partnered with the International Food and Policy Research Institute and Welthungerhilfe to assess the progress and setbacks in ending hunger. The Global Hunger Index, a peer-reviewed report, offers a way to compare levels of hunger between countries and regions, allowing us — and other organizations and policy-makers around the world — to focus on areas where the need is greatest.

Help us end world hunger and learn more about projects like the Global Hunger Index

The 2023 GHI: Highlights

  • Progress on ending hunger has stalled — and in some cases reversed — since 2015. In 18 countries, hunger levels are increasing rather than decreasing.
  • After decades of decline, the prevalence of undernourishment has been on the rise. The number of undernourished people has climbed from 572 million then to about 735 million today.
  • 58 countries will fail even to reach Low hunger status by 2030 — a 25% increase compared to 2022.
  • However, many countries are also making progress: Seven countries whose 2000 GHI scores indicated Extremely Alarming hunger levels have all reduced their scores in the intervening 23 years.
  • Young people need to play a major role in transforming food systems

Although progress to Zero Hunger has been made, gradually, since 2000, the 2021 Global Hunger Index shows that the world is not on track to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030, which is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In many places, progress has been too slow, and is further threatened by the health, economic, and environmental crises of 2020. Read the full 2023 Global Hunger Index.

Download the 2023 Global Hunger Index

A report card for global hunger

The Global Hunger Index looks at the following four indicators to measure progress towards ending hunger:

1. Undernourishment

The percentage of undernourished people (aka, people with insufficient daily caloric intake), both at the local and national level. Our data comes from relevant United Nations agencies, who work to continually update the numbers.

2. Child wasting

The percentage of children (under the age of 5) who suffer from wasting — that is, low weight for height. This is a sign of acute malnutrition.

3. Child stunting

The percentage of children (under the age of 5) who suffer from stunting — that is, low height for their age. This is a sign of chronic malnutrition.

4. Child mortality

The mortality rate for children under 5. This helps to give us a sense of how severe a country or region is, based on inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments.

Why do we use 4 factors?

Combined, this set of indicators gives us a more three-dimensional sense of hunger. They reflect calorie deficiencies, as well as poor nutrition. They reflect adult as well as child populations — children being especially important here as they are more vulnerable to the effects of a lack of dietary energy, protein, and micronutrients. The effects of these deficiencies in childhood can lead to a lifetime of consequences, which is why we focus at Concern on the nutrition and health of mothers and their young children. This combination of factors also gives us more confidence in our data, taking into account the different ways in which random measurement errors can occur and ensuring that we’re presenting the most accurate information.

Hunger in context

Global hunger doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and many of its root causes show how hunger is often the result of several factors. Each year, we look at one of the most pressing issues in focus, offering insights into how it impacts hunger, and recommendations at a policy level for how it can be addressed. Recent topics have included:

Setting the standard

The Global Hunger Index has received several national and international awards. In 2013, it received Gold in the BCP, Europe’s largest award for corporate media. It was recognized as setting the standard for reports in the nonprofit sector thanks to its credible, authentic information presented in a way that can be understood by all audiences.

Other awards for the Global Hunger Index include:

  • BCP Best of Corporate Publishing: Gold Award (2013), Silver Award (2012)
  • The International Competition Honoring Excellence in Annual Reports: ARC Award (Gold) in the Humanitarian Category (2013)
  • Mercury Excellence Awards: Gold Winner, Annual Reports Overall Presentation (2011/2012)
  • Mercury Excellence Awards: Grand Winner, Best Annual Reports (2010/2011)
  • Mercury Excellence Awards: Silver Winner, Annual Reports Overall Presentation (2009/2010)
  • League of American Communication Professionals Vision Awards: Top 100 Annual Reports Worldwide (2010/11)
  • League of American Communication Professionals Vision Awards: Platinum Award, Annual Reports Competition (2010)

Your support

Your tax-deductible gift makes you part of a vital community that enables us to reach over 10 million people each year with lifesaving nutrition solutions. The end of hunger is possible within our lifetime. Your support can make it happen.

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