With the fastest-growing economy in the world, India has risen to sixth place in the world economy rankings. Persistent humanitarian progress is reflected in the remarkable literacy rate and the increasing improvement in the well-being of the population in terms of health. However, there are notable inequalities in society, as so far only a small segment of the population has experienced the benefits of the economic boom.
Although according to the Indian Constitution of 1950 no one can be discriminated against on the basis of their caste, the reality is different. Around 800 million people in India are still living in poverty. Especially in the more rural regions or slums, living conditions are comparable to those of the world's poorest countries. It ranks 107th out of 121 countries on the 2022 Global Hunger Index, with a score of 29.1 (severe level).
The country has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world and, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India accounts for about 24 per cent of the world's hungry population.
India is also the nation with the highest degree of child wasting: About 34.7% of children under five years of age suffer from stunting and 17.3%, wasting. Several factors contribute to this situation, such as poverty, poor access to health care, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, lack of education and limited access to safe drinking water.
