Global Hunger Index 2026: Pakistan ranks 106th out of 122, reports one of the poorest performances in South Asia
Pakistan ranked 106th of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index, with a score of 25.5 indicating serious hunger. Economic hardship, rising food prices and climate shocks have strained food security, while undernourishment and child wasting have worsened since 2018.
Pakistan ranked 106th out of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index, indicating a serious hunger crisis. The report, released by Welthungerhilfe, Ruhr University Bochum, and Helvetas, highlighted worsening food security issues driven by economic instability, climate shocks, and global conflicts.
Pakistan's hunger score of 25.5 places it in the serious category, with 16.1% of the population undernourished, 33.6% of children under five stunted, 9.8% wasted, and a 5.6% under-five mortality rate. These figures have worsened since 2018, despite some progress in South Asia as a whole. Afghanistan ranked 108th with a score of 28.6.
Economic hardship and rising food prices have left many families unable to afford adequate nutrition. Climate-related disasters have also disrupted food production in Pakistan and Bangladesh, while Afghanistan's cereal-growing season faced low rainfall and high temperatures. These factors have contributed to a regional score of 23.5 for South Asia, though the region's overall situation has improved from an alarming 37.5 in 2000.
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