ISLAMABAD (web Desk) Pakistan has ranked second-worst in South Asia on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, with a score indicating a serious level of hunger, according to the report published on the index’s official website.
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Pakistan recorded a score of 25.5, behind Afghanistan, which scored 28.6. The regional score for South Asia stood at 23.5, compared with a global score of 18.1.
Globally, Pakistan ranked 106th among 122 countries for which sufficient data were available to calculate the 2026 index scores.
However, the report also showed improvement over the longer term. Pakistan’s score declined from 36.2 in 2000 to 25.5 in 2026, indicating progress in reducing hunger-related challenges.
Child malnutrition remains a concern
The index measures hunger through four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality among children under five.
According to the report, an estimated 16.1% of Pakistan’s population is undernourished, meaning their dietary energy intake is insufficient.
Child stunting affects 33.6% of children under five, reflecting long-term nutritional deficiencies that can impair physical growth and development.
The index also considers child wasting, which indicates low weight relative to height and is associated with acute undernutrition, as well as the mortality rate among children before their fifth birthday.
Long-term progress, continuing challenges
Pakistan’s improvement in its GHI score since 2000 suggests progress over time, but its latest ranking highlights the continuing scale of food insecurity and malnutrition.
The figures underline the importance of improving access to adequate nutrition, particularly for children and vulnerable households.
The index provides a broader picture of hunger-related conditions rather than measuring food availability alone. Its findings combine nutritional and child health indicators to assess the severity of hunger across countries.
