Considered to be one of the continent's most stable and corruption-free nations, the Republic of Botswana is a South African Commonwealth country with a population of 1.9 million (2010), and a GDP per capita growing at a rate of 9%, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Botswana is the world's largest producer of diamonds, a factor that has led the country to middle-income status. In addition, the republic is the continent's longest continuous multi-party democracy, and has undergone democratic elections since its independence in 1966.