The 15th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI), which ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness, has ranked Mauritius as Africa’s most peaceful country (it’s also the happiest country in Africa). Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the GPI is the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness. The report is arguably the most comprehensive data-driven analysis on trends in peace, its economic value, and how to develop peaceful societies.
Africa’s most peaceful countries – 4 highlights
- The average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.07 per cent in the 2021 Global Peace Index. Although a small decrease, it highlights a continuing trend in deteriorating global peacefulness.
- The Middle East and North Africa region are the world’s least peaceful region. It is home to three of the five least peaceful countries in the world. However, it recorded the largest regional improvement over the past year.
- Europe is still the most peaceful region in the world, home to eight of the ten most peaceful countries. No European country is ranked outside the top half of the index.
- According to the report the pandemic had a significant impact on levels of conflict and violence. The level of civil unrest rose in 2020, fuelled in large part by responses to coronavirus restrictions. Over 5,000 pandemic-related violent events were recorded between January 2020 and April 2021
Africa’s top 10 most peaceful countries
Mauritius (world rank 28)
“Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.” Mark Twain
- Capital: Port Louis
- Population: 1.27 million
- Official language: English, but Creole is widely spoken
Ghana (world rank 38)
- Capital: Accra
- Population: 31 million
- Official language: English
Botswana (world rank 41)
- Capital: Gaborone
- Population: 2.4 million
- Official languages: English, Setswana
Sierra Leone (world rank 46)
Often considered to be West Africa’s secret beach destination.
- Capital: Freetown
- Population: 8.1 million
- Official language: English
The Gambia (world rank 53)
The smallest country in mainland Africa still packs a punch in its compact frame.
- Capital: Banjul
- Population: 2.4 million
- Official language: English
Senegal (world rank 54)
The ‘Land of Teranga’
- Capital: Dakar
- Population: 17.2 million
- Official language: French
Tanzania (world rank 58)
- Capital: Dodoma
- Population: 61 million
- Official language: Swahili, English
Malawi (world rank 59)
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Population: 19.3 million
- Official language: English
Equatorial Guinea (world rank 62)
- Capital: Malabo
- Population: 1.5 million
- Official language: Spanish, French
Namibia (world rank 65)
More about Namibia
- Capital: Windhoek
- Population: 2.6 million
- Official language: English
Source
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/GPI-2021-web.pdf
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