2020 Edition

Background

A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to reflect the name most commonly used by its citizens. In 2021, MSWATI III used security forces to suppress prodemocracy protests. A national dialogue and reconciliation process agreed to in the wake of violence has not materialized. In November 2023, King MSWATI III appointed a new prime minister following peaceful national elections.  Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty, corruption, and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections. Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan.

Area

land

17,204 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

highest point

Emlembe 1,862 m

lowest point

Great Usutu River 21 m

mean elevation

305 m

Geographic coordinates

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Irrigated land

500 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

border countries

Mozambique 108 km; South Africa 438 km

total

546 km

Land use

agricultural land

69.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 10.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 58.1% (2023 est.)

forest

25.4% (2023 est.)

other

5.2% (2023 est.)

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

Population distribution

because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains as shown in this population distribution map

Terrain

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Age structure

0-14 years

31.6% (male 180,328/female 179,840)

15-64 years

64.3% (male 341,298/female 390,884)

65 years and over

4% (2024 est.) (male 16,974/female 28,765)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

2.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

5.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

7.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

20.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

men married by age 18

0% (2022)

women married by age 15

0.1% (2022)

women married by age 18

1.9% (2022)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5% (2021 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

36.4% (2022 est.)

Death rate

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

7.5 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

13.3 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.2 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

44.7 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 73.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 98% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 26.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 2% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

6% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

19.2% national budget (2025 est.)

Ethnic groups

predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry

Gross reproduction rate

1.3 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

7% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

11.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

32.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male

40.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

38 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

62.8 years

male

58.7 years

total population

60.7 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

90.4% (2022 est.)

male

91.1% (2022 est.)

total population

90.8% (2022 est.)

Major urban areas - population

68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

118 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

25.8 years

male

23.4 years

total

24.8 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Swati; note - former term, Swazi, still used among English speakers

noun

liSwati (singular), emaSwati (plural); note - former term, Swazi(s), still used among English speakers

Net migration rate

-3.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.5% (2016)

Physician density

0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Population

female

580,064

male

557,204

total

1,137,268 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

0.87% (2025 est.)

Religions

Christian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and traditional African religions - 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, other Christian 30% - includes Anglican, Methodist, Church of Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witness), Muslim 2%, other 8% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous, Jewish) (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 84.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 86.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 92.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 15.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 13.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 7.6% of population (2022 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.59 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

1.2% (2025 est.)

male

16.1% (2025 est.)

total

8.5% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.64 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

24.8% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Capital

etymology

the origin of the name is unclear; it may come from the Mbabane River next to the city, whose name is said to derive from the word lubabe, a type of shrub; another theory cites a local chief, Mbabane KUNENE, as the source of the name

geographic coordinates

26 19 S, 31 08 E

name

Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

both parents must be citizens of Eswatini

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

amendment process

proposed at a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both houses and/or majority vote in a referendum, and assent of the king; passage of amendments affecting "specially entrenched" constitutional provisions requires at least three-fourths majority vote by both houses, passage by simple majority vote in a referendum, and assent of the king; passage of "entrenched" provisions requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses, passage in a referendum, and assent of the king

history

previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Eswatini

conventional short form

Eswatini

etymology

the country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swati territory was expanded and unified

former

Swaziland

local long form

Umbuso weSwatini

local short form

eSwatini

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since August 2025)

email address and website

ConsularMbabane@state.gov Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Eswatini (usembassy.gov)

embassy

Corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini, P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106

FAX

[268] 2416-3344

mailing address

2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC 20521-2350

telephone

(268) 2417-9000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022)

email address and website

swaziland@compuserve.com

FAX

[1] (202) 234-8254

telephone

[1] (202) 234-5002

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet recommended by the prime minister, confirmed by the monarch; at least one-half of the cabinet membership must be appointed from among elected members of the House of Assembly

chief of state

King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)

election/appointment process

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)

Flag

description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow, with a large black-and-white shield in the center that covers two horizontal spears and a staff with feather tassels meaning: blue stands for peace and stability, red for past struggles, and yellow for the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from enemies, and the shield colors stand for ethnic groups living in peaceful coexistence

Government type

absolute 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

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice ex officio and 4 justices)

judge selection and term of office

justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75

subordinate courts

magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)

Legal system

mixed system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

legislature name

Parliament (Libandla)

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

House of Assembly

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

September 2028

most recent election date

9/29/2023

number of seats

74 (59 directly elected; 4 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)

percentage of women in chamber

21.6%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate

expected date of next election

November 2028

most recent election date

11/6/2023

number of seats

30 (10 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)

percentage of women in chamber

46.7%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

National anthem(s)

history

adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles

lyrics/music

Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT

title

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

National coat of arms

the national coat of arms was adopted in 1968 after independence from the United Kingdom; two national symbols, the lion (representing the king of Eswatini) and the elephant (representing the queen mother), support a traditional Nguni shield; above the shield is the king's lidlabe, or crown of feathers, and at the bottom is Eswatini's motto, Siyinqaba, or "We are the fortress”

National color(s)

blue, yellow, red

National holiday

Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)

National symbol(s)

lion, elephant

Political parties

political parties exist but conditions for their operations, particularly in elections, are undefined, legally unclear, or culturally restricted; the following are considered political associations: African United Democratic Party or AUDP  Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC  People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO  Swazi Democratic Party or SWADEPA 

Suffrage

18 years of age

Agricultural products

sugarcane, maize, root vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, milk, pineapples, bananas, beef, sweet potatoes (2023)

Budget

expenditures

$1.439 billion (2021 est.)

revenues

$1.217 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2021

$125.318 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$140.972 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

$107.534 million (2023 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

$923.266 million (2023 est.)

Economic overview

landlocked southern African economy; South African trade dependent and currency pegging; CMA and SACU member state; COVID-19 economic slowdown; growing utilities inflation; persistent poverty and unemployment; HIV/AIDS labor force disruptions

Exchange rates

Currency

emalangeni per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

16.47 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

14.783 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

16.362 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

18.454 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

18.318 (2024 est.)

Exports

Exports 2021

$2.132 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$2.095 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$2.174 billion (2023 est.)

Exports - commodities

scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, garments, wood (2023)

Exports - partners

South Africa 61%, Ireland 4%, Mozambique 4%, Kenya 4%, Nigeria 3% (2023)

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

48.7% (2023 est.)

government consumption

19.5% (2023 est.)

household consumption

64% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-51.4% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

16.1% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

3.1% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

6.8% (2023 est.)

industry

34.7% (2023 est.)

services

51.7% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.892 billion (2024 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016

54.6 (2016 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

42.7% (2016 est.)

lowest 10%

1.4% (2016 est.)

Imports

Imports 2021

$2.173 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$2.288 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$2.351 billion (2023 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, electricity, plastic products, cotton fabric, garments (2023)

Imports - partners

South Africa 71%, China 8%, India 4%, USA 2%, Mozambique 1% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

0.5% (2023 est.)

Industries

soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

6.2% (2017 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018

4.8% (2018 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019

2.6% (2019 est.)

Labor force

390,600 (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

58.9% (2016 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2021

35.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$12.135 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$12.553 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$12.885 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

1.1% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

3.4% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

2.6% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$10,000 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$10,200 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$10,400 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2021

2.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

2.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$572.282 million (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$452.352 million (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$479.261 million (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

35.4% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

35.1% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

34.4% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

60.3% (2024 est.)

male

56% (2024 est.)

total

58.2% (2024 est.)

Coal

consumption

202,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

exports

4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

201,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

production

253,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves

4.644 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

consumption

1.308 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports

928.237 million kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

285,000 kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

167.476 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

81.6%

electrification - total population

82.3% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

86.1%

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

37.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

fossil fuels

3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

54.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

4.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

18.823 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (2023 est.)

total

34,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station; satellite dishes can access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2019)

Internet country code

.sz

Internet users

percent of population

58% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

35,600 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

140 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

1.74 million (2024 est.)

Airports

16 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

3DC

Heliports

1 (2025)

Railways

narrow gauge

301 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

total

301 km (2014)

Military - note

the UEDF’s primary mission is external defense, which includes mostly securing the borders; it also has domestic security responsibilities, including protecting members of the royal family; the king is the UEDF commander in chief and holds the position of minister of defense, although the UEDF reports to the Army commander and principal undersecretary of defense for day-to-day operations; the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is responsible for maintaining internal security as well as migration and border crossing enforcement; it is under the prime minister, although the king is the force’s titular commissioner in chief; the UEDF was originally created in 1973 as the Royal Swaziland Defense Force (2025)

Military and security forces

Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): Army (includes a small air wing); the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) (2025)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 3,000 active-duty Defense Force (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the UEDF has a small inventory of mostly older light weapons and equipment originating from Europe, South Africa, Taiwan, and the US (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2020

1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

1.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

1.4% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

56 (2024 est.)

refugees

4,459 (2024 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

410,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

916,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

1.326 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

limited supplies of potable water; overhunting depleting wildlife; population growth, deforestation, and overgrazing lead to soil erosion and soil degradation

International environmental agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

16.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

1.006 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

20.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal

41.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

218,200 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

17.3% (2022 est.)