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12 Least Fragile African Countries On The Fragile States Index

12 Least Fragile African Countries On The Fragile States Index

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The annual Fragile States List is out, and it’s not looking good for Africa.

Ten African countries ranked among the world’s 16 most fragile states according to the list, which compared 177 countries around the world.

But we’re looking at the African countries that are the most stable — the least fragile, if you will — that ranked lowest on the Fragile States List, published by the Fund For Peace.

The world’s No. 1 most fragile state, South Sudan, received the highest points and the highest ranking on this list. On the other end, Sweden ranked No. 177, the world’s least fragile country according to the factors that were measured.

Countries were given points and compared based on the following: demographic pressures, refugees and internally displaced people, group grievances, human flight, uneven economic development, economic decline, state legitimacy, public service, human rights and rule of law, security apparatus, fractionalized elites, and external intervention.

The Fund for Peace Fragile States 2015, The Fund for Peace
The Fund for Peace Fragile States 2015, The Fund for Peace

 

Out of 177 countries, the U.K. ranked No. 161 — less fragile than the U.S. which ranked No. 158. China ranked No. 83 — a little more fragile than half the countries on the list.

Nigeria and Zimbabwe are among the most fragile at No. 14 and No. 16 respectively. The world’s six most fragile states are South Sudan, Somalia, CAR, Sudan, DRC and Chad.

Insurgencies, conflict and civil wars contributed to Africa’s poor showing on the index compared to other regions of the world, Mail&Guardian reports. “The real indicators driving down Africa’s performance as a whole are much less dramatic – they are slow, insidious, and difficult to change at the stroke of a decree or in a single election.”

African countries accumulated the biggest points on the Index due to demographic pressures. With two-thirds of the population under 30 years old,  job opportunities have not kept up with population growth in Africa, making it a more fragile place, according to M&G.

These are the 12 least fragile African countries on the Fragile States Index. The index compares 177 countries with No. 177 being the least fragile.

Sources: FundForPeaceMail&Guardian,

 

March 17, 2015 during the inauguration of the new prime minister in Maseru. Photo: HLOMPHO LETSIELO/Getty
March 17, 2015 during the inauguration of the new prime minister in Maseru. Photo: HLOMPHO LETSIELO/Getty

12. Lesotho, Ranked No. 66

Point of No Return Monument, Ouidah, Benin. Photo: Raquel Maria Carbonell/Getty
Point of No Return Monument, Ouidah, Benin. Photo: Raquel Maria Carbonell/Getty

11. Benin, Ranked No. 73

A Tunisian fishmonger talks with customers at the central market in Tunis. Photo: FETHI BELAID/Getty
A Tunisian fishmonger talks with customers at the central market in Tunis. Photo: FETHI BELAID/Getty

10. Tunisia, Ranked No. 86

The Islands Of Sao Tome And Principe. Photo: Benoit Gysembergh/Getty
The Islands Of Sao Tome And Principe. Photo: Benoit Gysembergh/Getty

9. Sao Tome & Principe, Ranked No. 93

CapeVerdeInformation.com
CapeVerdeInformation.com

8. Cape Verde, Ranked No. 95

Apprentices at the Apostle Safo Technology Research Centre in Gomoa Mpota, Ghana. Photo: Chris Stein/Getty
Apprentices at the Apostle Safo Technology Research Centre in Gomoa Mpota, Ghana. Photo: Chris Stein/Getty

7. Ghana, Ranked No. 98

Oil palm fields of international agro-food company Olam, in Kango, Gabon. Photo: XAVIER BOURGOIS/Getty
Oil palm fields of international agro-food company Olam, in Kango, Gabon. Photo: XAVIER BOURGOIS/Getty

6. Gabon, Ranked No. 103

Herero tribe member in traditional-style dress, Namibia. Photo: EducationImages/UIG/Getty
Herero tribe member in traditional-style dress, Namibia. Photo: EducationImages/UIG/Getty

5. Namibia, Ranked No. 106

Lesetja Kganyago, South Africa's reserve bank governor, arrives for the launch of a new rand banknote in his home village of Moletjie Ga-Maribana, South Africa, June 19, 2015. Photo: Dean Hutton/Bloomberg/Getty
Lesetja Kganyago, South Africa’s reserve bank governor, arrives for the launch of a new rand banknote in his home village of Moletjie Ga-Maribana, South Africa, June 19, 2015. Photo: Dean Hutton/Bloomberg/Getty

4. South Africa, Ranked No. 113

Workers check, cut and polish diamonds in Gaborone. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan/Getty
Workers check, cut and polish diamonds in Gaborone. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan/Getty

3. Botswana 122

Seychelles, blog.gogo-vacations.com
Seychelles, blog.gogo.vacations.com

2. Seychelles, Ranked No. 124

Woman working on metal pieces for ship models, Bobato Ltee Factory, Curepipe, Mauritius. Photo: Insights/UIG/Getty
Woman working on metal pieces for ship models, Bobato Ltee Factory, Curepipe, Mauritius. Photo: Insights/UIG/Getty

1. Mauritius, Ranked No. 145