2012 Edition

Background

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, Africa's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Area

17,364 sq km 17,204 sq km 160 sq km

total

17,364 sq km

water

160 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate

varies from tropical to near temperate

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Great Usutu River 21 m Emlembe 1,862 m

highest point

Emlembe 1,862 m

lowest point

Great Usutu River 21 m

Environment - current issues

limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%) 1,010 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,010 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%)

Geographic coordinates

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Irrigated land

500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

535 km Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

border countries

Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

total

535 km

Land use

10.25% 0.81% 88.94% (2005)

arable land

10.25%

other

88.94% (2005)

permanent crops

0.81%

Location

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

drought

Natural resources

asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

Terrain

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Total renewable water resources

4.5 cu km (1987)

Age structure

37.4% (male 261,961/ female 256,095) 59% (male 408,278/ female 409,798) 3.7% (male 20,765/ female 30,017) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

37.4% (male 261,961/ female 256,095)

15-64 years

59% (male 408,278/ female 409,798)

65 years and over

3.7% (male 20,765/ female 30,017) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

26.16 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.1% (2007)

Death rate

14.21 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

7.8% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

African 97%, European 3%

Health expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

25.9% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

7,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

180,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

59.57 deaths/1,000 live births 63.59 deaths/1,000 live births 55.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

55.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

59.57 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)

Life expectancy at birth

49.42 years 49.77 years 49.06 years (2012 est.)

female

49.06 years (2012 est.)

total population

49.42 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 81.6% 82.6% 80.8% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

80.8% (2003 est.)

male

82.6%

total population

81.6%

Major cities - population

MBABANE (capital) 74,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

320 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

20.5 years 20.2 years 20.9 years (2012 est.)

female

20.9 years (2012 est.)

male

20.2 years

total

20.5 years

Nationality

Swazi(s) Swazi

adjective

Swazi

noun

Swazi(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

1,386,914 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

1.195% (2012 est.)

Religions

Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Baha'i, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 61% of population rural: 53% of population total: 55% of population urban: 39% of population rural: 47% of population total: 45% of population

rural

47% of population

total

45% of population

urban

39% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 10 years (2007)

female

10 years (2007)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.03 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

21% of total population (2010) 1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

21% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Capital

Mbabane 26 19 S, 31 08 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)

geographic coordinates

26 19 S, 31 08 E

name

Mbabane

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

signed by the King July 2005; went into effect 8 February 2006

Country name

Kingdom of Swaziland Swaziland Umbuso weSwatini eSwatini

conventional long form

Kingdom of Swaziland

conventional short form

Swaziland

local long form

Umbuso weSwatini

local short form

eSwatini

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Makila JAMES 2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane P. O. Box 199, Mbabane [268] 404-2445 [268] 404-2059

chief of mission

Ambassador Makila JAMES

embassy

2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane

FAX

[268] 404-2059

mailing address

P. O. Box 199, Mbabane

telephone

[268] 404-2445

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Abednigo Mandla NTSHANGASE 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-5002 [1] (202) 234-8254

chancery

1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Abednigo Mandla NTSHANGASE

FAX

[1] (202) 234-8254

telephone

[1] (202) 234-5002

Executive branch

King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008) Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly

cabinet

Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch

chief of state

King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)

elections

none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008)

Flag description

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence

Government type

monarchy

Independence

6 September 1968 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; High Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members elected by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members to serve five-year terms) House of Assembly - last held on 19 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2013) House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round

election results

House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round

elections

House of Assembly - last held on 19 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2013)

National anthem

"Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi) Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT adopted 1968; the anthem uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles

lyrics/music

Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT

name

"Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

National symbol(s)

lion; elephant

Political parties and leaders

the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the 2006 Constitution and currently being debated; the following are considered political associations; African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president]; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Swaziland Democracy Campaign; Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland Solidarity Network or SSN

Suffrage

18 years of age

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep

Budget

$1.447 billion $1.459 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$1.459 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.447 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9% (31 December 2012 est.) 9% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$3.8 million (2012 est.) -$280.9 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$737.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $703.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.4 (2001)

Economy - overview

Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland depends heavily on South Africa from which it receives more than 90% of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is heavily dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and worker remittances from South Africa supplement domestically earned income. Subsistence agriculture employs approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp were major foreign exchange earners; however, the wood pulp producer closed in January 2010, and sugar is now the main export earner. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Customs revenues plummeted due to the global economic crisis and a drop in South African imports. The resulting decline in revenue has pushed the country into a fiscal crisis. Swaziland is looking to other countries, including South Africa, for assistance, but continues to struggle to meet its monthly payroll and fund government programs. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and attract foreign direct investment is acute. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and more than one-quarter of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS.

Exchange rates

emalangeni per US dollar - 8.223 (2012 est.) 7.2597 (2011 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008)

Exports

$1.985 billion (2012 est.) $2.04 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition by sector

8.2% 47% 44.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

8.2%

industry

47%

services

44.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,300 (2012 est.) $5,400 (2011 est.) $5,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-2.9% (2012 est.) 0.3% (2011 est.) 2% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.651 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.148 billion (2012 est.) $6.332 billion (2011 est.) $6.317 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.7% 40.1% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

40.1% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

1.7%

Imports

$2.111 billion (2012 est.) $2.108 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.4% (2012 est.) 6.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

457,900 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

70% NA% NA%

agriculture

70%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2009) $203.1 million (31 December 2007) $199.9 million (31 December 2006)

Population below poverty line

69% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$752.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $600.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.106 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.087 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$960 million (31 December 2012 est.) $948.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$335.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) $355.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

40% (2006 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.113 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.175 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

67.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

32.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

597 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

130,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

450 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,567 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,898 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned TV station; satellite dishes are able to access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2007)

Internet country code

.sz

Internet hosts

2,744 (2012)

Internet users

90,100 (2009)

Telephone system

a somewhat modern but not an advanced system single source for mobile-cellular service with a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscribership base; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity roughly 60 telephones per 100 persons in 2011; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

domestic

single source for mobile-cellular service with a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscribership base; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity roughly 60 telephones per 100 persons in 2011; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay

general assessment

a somewhat modern but not an advanced system

international

country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

75,800 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

766,500 (2011)

Airports

15 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

7 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

13

under 914 m

7 (2012)

Railways

301 km 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

301 km

Roadways

3,594 km 1,078 km 2,516 km (2002)

total

3,594 km

unpaved

2,516 km (2002)

Manpower available for military service

344,038 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

344,038 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

201,853 175,477 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

175,477 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

201,853

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

16,168 15,763 (2010 est.)

female

15,763 (2010 est.)

male

16,168

Military branches

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing) (2010)

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF)

Ground Force (includes Air Wing) (2010)

Military expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted (2010)

Disputes - international

in 2006, Swazi king advocated resorting to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa