CapitalMbabane (administrative capital)
Population1,137,268
Area17,364 km²
GDP per capita$10,400
LanguagesEnglish , siSwati
Currencyemalangeni
Life Expectancy60.7 yr
Governmentan absolute monarchy.
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
land
17,204 sq km
water
160 sq km
total
17,364 sq km
Climate
ranges from tropical to nearly temperate
Terrain
predominantly mountainous and hilly; includes some moderately inclined plains
Land use
other
5.2% (2023 est.)
forest
25.4% (2023 est.)
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.)
Location
Located in Southern Africa, bordered by Mozambique and South Africa
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point
Emlembe 1,862 m
mean elevation
305 m
Irrigated land
500 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
546 km
border countries
Mozambique 108 km; South Africa 438 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
drought
Geography - note
landlocked; nearly entirely encircled by South Africa
Natural resources
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, minor gold and diamond reserves, quarry stone, and talc
Area - comparative
slightly less than the size of New Jersey
Geographic coordinates
26 30 S, 31 30 E
Population distribution
due to its hilly landscape, the population is distributed unevenly across the nation, mainly found in valleys and plains, as illustrated in this population distribution map
People & Society
Literacy
male
91.1% (2022 est.)
female
90.4% (2022 est.)
total population
90.8% (2022 est.)
Languages
English (official language, utilized for governmental functions), siSwati (official language)
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.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.87 male(s)/female
total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.59 male(s)/female
Birth rate
20.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
23.4 years
total
24.8 years (2025 est.)
female
25.8 years
Population
male
557,204
total
1,137,268 (2025 est.)
female
580,064
Nationality
noun
liSwati (singular form), emaSwati (plural form); note - the previous term, Swazi(s), is still in use among English speakers
adjective
Swati; note - the earlier term, Swazi, remains in use among English speakers
Tobacco use
male
16.1% (2025 est.)
total
8.5% (2025 est.)
female
1.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
24.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
Ethnic groups
mainly Swazi; smaller communities of other African ethnicities, including the Zulu, alongside individuals of European descent
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)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
52.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
44.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
13.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
7.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-3.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.64 children born/woman (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.)
Infant mortality rate
male
40.7 deaths/1,000 live births
total
38 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
32.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.87% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.3 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
due to the country's mountainous landscape, population distribution is irregular, primarily gathering in valleys and plains as depicted in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
58.7 years
female
62.8 years
total population
60.7 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
118 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 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.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
7.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
5.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
16.5% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
36.4% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
5% (2021 est.)
Environment
Climate
ranges from tropical to almost temperate
Land use
other
5.2% (2023 est.)
forest
25.4% (2023 est.)
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.)
Urbanization
urban population
24.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
218,200 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
17.3% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
scarce availability of drinkable water; excessive hunting diminishing wildlife; increasing population, deforestation, and overgrazing result in soil erosion and degradation of soil quality
Total water withdrawal
municipal
41.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
20.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
1.006 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
1.326 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
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.)
Particulate matter emissions
16.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
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
Government
Flag
description: features three horizontal bands in blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is bordered in yellow, with a prominent black-and-white shield at the center that overlaps two horizontal spears and a staff adorned with feather tassels
meaning: blue symbolizes peace and stability, red represents historical struggles, and yellow signifies the nation's mineral wealth; the shield, spears, and staff denote defense against adversaries, and the colors of the shield represent various ethnic communities coexisting harmoniously.
Capital
name
Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
etymology
the name's origin is uncertain; it may be derived from the Mbabane River adjacent to the city, which is believed to come from the term lubabe, referring to a type of shrub; another conjecture attributes the name to a local chief, Mbabane KUNENE.
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
26 19 S, 31 08 E
Suffrage
18 years of age
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
history
previously in 1968 and 1978; most recent version was signed by the king on 26 July 2005, taking effect on 8 February 2006.
amendment process
proposed during a joint session of both parliamentary houses; to be enacted, it requires a majority vote from both houses and/or a majority in a referendum, along with the king's approval; amendments affecting "specially entrenched" constitutional provisions demand a minimum three-fourths majority vote from both houses, simple majority in a referendum, and the king's consent; for "entrenched" provisions, a two-thirds majority from both houses, referendum approval, and the king's assent are necessary.
Country name
former
Swaziland
etymology
the name of the country originates from King MSWATI II of the 19th century, during whose reign Swati territory was expanded and unified.
local long form
Umbuso weSwatini
local short form
eSwatini
conventional long form
Kingdom of Eswatini
conventional short form
Eswatini
Independence
6 September 1968 (from the UK)
Legal system
a mixed legal system encompassing civil, common, and customary law.
Government type
an absolute monarchy.
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)
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts oversee the application of customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction limited to customary law for Swazi citizens).
judge selection and term of office
the monarch appoints justices of the Supreme Court and High Court based on the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which is a judicial advisory entity comprising the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, four members appointed by the monarch, and the Civil Service Commission chairman; justices of both courts can retire at age 65, with mandatory retirement at age 75.
Executive branch
cabinet
the Cabinet is proposed by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch; at least half of the Cabinet members must be selected from elected representatives of the House of Assembly.
chief of state
King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government
Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is inherited; the prime minister is appointed by the monarch from among House of Assembly members.
National holiday
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), observed on 6 September (1968).
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
Political parties
political parties exist, but their operational conditions, especially regarding elections, are ambiguous, legally uncertain, or culturally limited; the following are regarded as 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
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Libandla)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (O God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)
history
adopted in 1968; incorporates elements from both ethnic Swazi and Western musical traditions.
lyrics/music
Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
National symbol(s)
lion, elephant
National coat of arms
the national coat of arms was established in 1968 following independence from the United Kingdom; it features two national emblems, the lion (symbolizing the king of Eswatini) and the elephant (symbolizing the queen mother), which support a traditional Nguni shield; atop the shield rests the king's lidlabe, or feather crown, while the motto of Eswatini, Siyinqaba, meaning "We are the fortress,” is displayed at the bottom.
Administrative divisions
4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
74 (59 elected directly; 4 elected indirectly; 10 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/29/2023
expected date of next election
September 2028
percentage of women in chamber
21.6%
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
30 (10 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/6/2023
expected date of next election
November 2028
percentage of women in chamber
46.7%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 234-8254
chancery
1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 234-5002
chief of mission
Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022)
email address and website
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[268] 2416-3344
embassy
Corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini, P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106
telephone
(268) 2417-9000
mailing address
2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC 20521-2350
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since August 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Eswatini (usembassy.gov)
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.217 billion (2021 est.)
expenditures
$1.439 billion (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$2.132 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$2.095 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$2.174 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$2.173 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$2.288 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$2.351 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel
Labor force
390,600 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2021
35.9% of GDP (2021 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.)
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.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$923.266 million (2023 est.)
Economic overview
landlocked southern African economy; reliant on trade with South Africa and currency pegging; member of CMA and SACU; economic downturn due to COVID-19; rising inflation in utilities; ongoing issues of poverty and unemployment; disruptions in the labor force due to HIV/AIDS
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
35.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
35.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
34.4% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
South Africa 61%, Ireland 4%, Mozambique 4%, Kenya 4%, Nigeria 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
South Africa 71%, China 8%, India 4%, USA 2%, Mozambique 1% (2023)
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.)
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.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, maize, root vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, milk, pineapples, bananas, beef, sweet potatoes (2023)
Exports - commodities
scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, garments, wood (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, electricity, plastic products, cotton fabric, garments (2023)
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.)
Taxes and other revenues
24.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.892 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
64% (2023 est.)
government consumption
19.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
3.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
16.1% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
48.7% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-51.4% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
58.9% (2016 est.)
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.)
Industrial production growth rate
0.5% (2023 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.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
56% (2024 est.)
total
58.2% (2024 est.)
female
60.3% (2024 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.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
34.7% (2023 est.)
services
51.7% (2023 est.)
agriculture
6.8% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.4% (2016 est.)
highest 10%
42.7% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016
54.6 (2016 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
201,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
253,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
202,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
4.644 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
imports
928.237 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
1.308 billion 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 - urban areas
86.1%
electrification - total population
82.3% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
18.823 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
4.9% 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.)
biomass and waste
37.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
58% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
One government-operated television channel; satellite systems are capable of connecting to South African service providers; a state-managed radio network featuring three channels; one independent radio station (2019)
Internet country code
.sz
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
35,600 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
1.74 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
140 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
34,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Airports
16 (2025)
Railways
total
301 km (2014)
narrow gauge
301 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Heliports
1 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
3DC
Military & Security
Military - note
The primary objective of the UEDF is external defense, primarily focused on border security; it also encompasses domestic security duties, such as safeguarding members of the royal family. The king serves as the commander in chief of the UEDF and fulfills the role of minister of defense, though the UEDF operates under the oversight of the Army commander and the main undersecretary of defense for routine operations. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is tasked with upholding internal security along with enforcing migration and border crossing regulations; this force is managed by the prime minister, while the king holds the honorary title of commissioner in chief. The UEDF was initially established in 1973 as the Royal Swaziland Defense Force (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 and security forces
Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): comprises an army (which includes a minor air wing); the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Men and women aged 18 to 35 are eligible for voluntary military service; there is no conscription (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The UEDF possesses a modest collection of predominantly older light weapons and equipment sourced from Europe, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 3,000 active-duty Defense Force (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
56 (2024 est.)
refugees
4,459 (2024 est.)
