Sierra Leone has achieved an impressive ranking as the 3rd most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing expectations and placing behind only Mauritius and Botswana. Globally, Sierra Leone ranks 47th out of 163 independent states and territories in terms of peacefulness, with a score of 1.792. These findings come from the 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2023, which is considered the leading measure of global peacefulness.
The GPI is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and provides a comprehensive analysis of peace trends, its economic value, and strategies for building peaceful societies. It covers 163 countries, representing 99.7% of the world’s population, and utilizes 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from reputable sources. The index measures peace across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarization.
Peaceful societies not only experience greater income growth, stronger currencies, and increased foreign investment but also benefit from political stability and a higher sense of happiness among their citizens. The economic impact of violence on the global economy is significant, amounting to $17.5 trillion in purchasing-power parity (PPP) terms or 12.9% of total global GDP. This translates to a reduction of $2,200 in economic output per person worldwide.
The 2023 Global Peace Index, compiled by the international think-tank IEP, highlights the importance of peace on a global scale. With data from 163 independent states and territories covering almost the entire world population, the report reveals that 84 countries have shown improvement in peace while 79 have experienced deterioration.
Sierra Leone’s achievement in ranking as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa is commendable and reflects the efforts made to maintain societal safety and security, minimize domestic and international conflicts, and reduce militarization. This recognition not only contributes to the country’s reputation but also has positive implications for its economic growth and overall well-being.