Top 10 Countries With Highest Hunger Rates Globally: Check Where India Stands| World Food Day 2025

Top 10 Countries With Highest Hunger Rates: As the world observes World Food Day 2025, one of the biggest problems facing humanity is still hunger. Roughly 1 in 10 people worldwide still struggle to get enough food, with 673 million people suffering from chronic hunger, according to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025. Despite advancements in food production worldwide, poverty, economic crises, wars and climate change have made hunger worse in many countries. Due to factors like conflict, bad governance and restricted access to healthcare and education, countries in Africa and some parts of Asia continue to have the highest hunger scores. 

Burundi, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and many other countries are among the top ten nations with the highest rates of hunger. Their scores fall into the "alarming" or "serious" hunger category, ranging from 33 to 49.9.  In contrast,  India has a hunger index score of 25.8, which places it in the "serious" category and emphasises that although there has been progress, much more work needs to be done. 

Top 10 Countries With the Highest Hunger Rates Globally

In this article, let’s take a look at the top 10 countries with the highest hunger rates in the world and what is rank of India is in the Global Hunger Index 2025.

Source:  Global Hunger Index 2025

1. Burundi and Yemen (Score: 35–49.9)

Top 10 countries with the highest hunger rates (Image: Canva)

Yemen and Burundi suffer from some of the worst hunger in the world. Food shortages in Burundi are caused by poverty and a lack of agricultural resources. Due to the destruction of food systems caused by Yemen's long-term conflict, millions of people now rely on help to survive.

2. Somalia (Score: 42.6)

Decades of insecurity, displacement and droughts are the main causes of Somalia's hunger crisis. It is very difficult for residents to obtain clean water and food due to the lack of infrastructure and frequent natural disasters.

3. South Sudan (Score: 37.5)

Hunger in South Sudan is still a problem because of displacement, flooding and civil conflict. Due to inadequate supply chains and transportation, millions of people are dependent on humanitarian aid, and food prices are still very high.

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4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (Score: 37.5)

Many people in the DRC are food insecure as a result of the country's persistent violence, inadequate infrastructure, and slow rural development. Even with fertile land, regular farming and trade are hindered by conflict.

5. Madagascar (Score: 35.8)

Top 10 countries with the highest hunger rates (Image: Canva)

Southern Madagascar has experienced severe droughts, which have caused crop failures and increased food costs. As the nation's food crisis worsens due to climate change, many families rely on emergency relief.

6. Haiti (Score: 35.7)

Poverty, natural disasters, and political instability are the main causes of Haiti's hunger. Crops and infrastructure are frequently destroyed by earthquakes and hurricanes, depriving millions of people of dependable food sources.

7. Korea (DPR), Sudan, Lesotho (Score: 20–34.9)

These nations face political difficulties in addition to low agricultural productivity. While Sudan and Lesotho deal with economic instability and unpredictable rainfall, North Korea faces food shortages as a result of isolation and subpar harvests.

8. Chad (Score: 34.8)

Conflict near border areas, poor harvests, and desert conditions are the main causes of Chad's hunger crisis. Subsistence farming, which is the main source of income for most families, is ineffective during droughts.

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9. Niger (Score: 33.9)

Food shortages are common in Niger due to the country's rapidly expanding population and scarcity of arable land. Hunger is made worse by droughts and low literacy rates, particularly in rural areas and among children.

10. Central African Republic (Score: 33.4)

The food system in the Central African Republic has been severely damaged by decades of conflict and poor governance. Due to farmland destruction and displacement, many families depend on foreign food aid to survive.

India’s Position on Global Hunger Index 2025

India's rank on hunger rates (Image: Canva)

With a score of 25.8, India is ranked 102nd on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025, falling into the "serious" hunger category. Even though India is one of the biggest food producers in the world, it still faces significant issues like poverty, unequal food distribution, child malnutrition, and poor sanitation. Its hunger level is influenced by many factors, including high rates of stunting and child wasting, poor maternal health, and an inadequately varied diet. The system is further strained by regional disparities in food access and rapid population growth.

The Indian government has launched several types of nutrition and welfare programs to address these issues. Millions of low-income families receive free food grains through programs like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Improving nutrition for mothers and children is the main goal of the Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission). Additionally, schoolchildren are guaranteed wholesome meals through the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Even though these initiatives have decreased extreme hunger and increased food security, long-term change requires ongoing attention to poverty alleviation, agricultural reform, and nutrition education.