The Global Hunger Index is based on three equally weighted indicators:

• the proportion of undernourished as a percentage of the population (reflecting the share of the population with insufficient dietary energy intake);
• the prevalence of underweight in children under the age of five (indicating the proportion of children suffering from weight loss and/or reduced growth); and
• the under-five mortality rate (partially reflecting the fatal synergy between inadequate dietary intake and unhealthy environments).

For this report, the Global Hunger Index 2007 was calculated on the basis of data from the period 2000–2005. The calculation of the GHI is limited to the 97 developing countries and 21 transitional countries where measuring hunger is considered most relevant.