According to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI), Rwanda rose four positions from the past year, ranking 81st out of 163 countries studied worldwide, with an overall score of 2.049.

The rise also makes Rwanda the fourteenth most peaceful country in Africa, from the 17th position in the previous report.

According to the report, the economic cost of peace in Rwanda was $1.4 billion or 5 percent of its GDP.

Regionally, Rwanda is the second most peaceful country after Tanzania which has maintained the top position since 2008.

However, the report notes that countries able to maintain peace have higher resilience to absorb, adapt and recover from shocks, such as COVID-19 and the ensuing recession.