Global Hunger Index 2009

Some 29 countries, which include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Chad, and Ethiopia, have alarming or extremely alarming levels of hunger. In addition, 13 countries have experienced higher hunger levels since 1990. High rates of hunger are strongly linked to gender inequalities, especially in terms of literacy and access to education. The 2009 Global Hunger Index published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide, reports these insights.

 "Low-income countries are being hurt by the food and financial crises," explained Klaus von Grebmer, lead author of the report and communications director at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). "The crises have significantly reduced purchasing power and income-earning opportunities for poor people, who spend up to 70 percent of their income on food, while food prices in many countries are still higher than several years ago."

The Global Hunger Index ranks countries on three leading indicators: prevalence of child malnutrition, rates of child mortality, and the proportion of people who are calorie deficient—and combines them into one score.

View the IFPRI press release at http://www.ifpri.org/pressrelease/2009-global-hunger-index-calls-attention-gender-inequality-need-empower-and-educate-wom