New Delhi, October 16: Among a list of 117 countries, India has ranked 102 on the Global Hunger Index (GHI). According to the report, India is lagging behind its neighbours Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

India fell from 55 in 2014 to 102 in 2019 in the GHI. India ranked 55 out of 76 nations in 2014, 100 out of 119 countries in 2017, and 103 out of 119 countries in 2018. GHI is a peer-reviewed annual report, jointly published by Ireland's Concern Worldwide and Germany's Welthungerhilfe. World Food Day 2018: 5 Smart Ways To Prevent Food Wastage and Reduce World Hunger.

The ranking of Pakistan is at 94, Bangladesh is at 88 and Nepal at 73 in this year's GHI report which is designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and national levels.

The GHI score calculates the levels of hunger and undernutrition worldwide. The four indicators for the index are undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting (weight for age) and child mortality. India’s poor performance on hunger is directly linked to the high levels of child undernourishment.

The report further mentions that despite the construction of toilets, open defecation is being practised, which is affecting a child's health. It reads, “Even with new latrine construction, however, open defecation is still practised. This situation jeopardises the population’s health and consequently, children’s growth and development as their ability to absorb nutrients are compromised."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2019 12:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).