By CGTN Africa

South Sudan is the most "fragile" state, according to the Fragile States Index that ranks countries according to their “peacefulness.”

Mauritius is ranked as the least fragile country in Africa, and 148th in the world index. It has held this title since 2005.

Compiled by US-funded think tank, Fund for Peace, the index ranks countries according to their vulnerability to collapse and is based upon 12 key political, social and economic indicators, including security apparatus, factionalized elites, uneven economic development, human capital flight and brain drain, public services, human rights and rule of law, among others.

Mauritius is ranked as the least fragile country in Africa. /CFP Photo

Following a system known as the Conflict Assessment System Tool, or CAST, each indicator collectively attributes to the country’s overall ranking, and provides a snapshot in time that can be measured against other previous assessments to determine whether conditions are improving or worsening in that state.

These indicators are then rated out of 10, the higher the number the more fragile the state’s indicator.

Many African countries are considered less stable because of their social, political, economic and demographic vulnerability.

South Sudanese refugees are seen at the UNHCR camp of al-Algaya in Sudan's White Nile state, south of Khartoum, on May 17, 2017. /CFP Photo

South Sudan scored high in all indicators, giving it the highest fragility rate. The country was then followed by Somalia, Central African Republic, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Guinea, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

On the other end of the continent’s ranking, Mauritius stood as the most stable, and was followed by the Seychelles, Botswana, Ghana, Cape Verde, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Gabon and Tunisia.

South Sudan also ranked most fragile in the world for “state legitimacy” and “human rights and rule of law,” along with the DPRK.

178 countries were ranked overall, with Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Ireland ranking as the most stable.