New Zealand is the number one peaceful country in the world out of 114 countries. Other countries that are said to be peaceful in Africa include Gabon, Ghana, Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recently also described Malawi, Rwanda and Ghana as countries that have demonstrated that a determined leadership can bring about impressive results even in tough circumstances.

In the report, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Somalia have been rated the most dangerous places in the African continent. Zimbabwe entered into a government of national unity recently and is battling to uplift its tattered economy.

Apart from experiencing economic problems, the country has also been hit by the cholera outbreak which has killed over 4,000 people.

In the world, the country ranked least at peace is Iraq with Afghanistan and Somalia following. GPI is said to have been founded by Steve Killelea, an Australian international technology entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Reports say that scores of the tests on the countries are made against a range of potential drivers or determinants of peace including levels of democracy, transparency, education and material well being.

This is done by an international panel of experts including academics and leaders of peace institutions.