Islamabad, 15 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan has ranked 106th out of 122 countries on the 2026 Global Hunger Index (GHI), placing it second-worst in South Asia after Afghanistan, according to a newly released report. The report revealed that approximately 16.1 percent of Pakistan’s population is undernourished, while 33.6 percent of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth. With a GHI score of 25.5, Pakistan faces a serious level of hunger, compared with Afghanistan’s score of 28.6, the regional average of 23.5 and the global average of 18.1. The report also found that 9.8 percent of children under five suffer from wasting, while the under-five mortality rate stands at 5.6 percent. Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s hunger score has improved over the long term, declining from 36.2 in 2000 to 25.5 in 2026. The Global Hunger Index assesses hunger through four key indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality. The findings come amid concerns over rising inflation, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Pakistan’s inflation rate to increase from 7.1 percent in fiscal year 2025–26 to 9.9 percent in fiscal year 2026–27, potentially adding to the financial difficulties faced by vulnerable households.