Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2023 est.)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
34,000 (2023 est.)
Communications: 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)
Communications: Internet country code
.sz
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
63.40% (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
35,600 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
140 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
1.74 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
sugarcane, maize, root vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, milk, pineapples, bananas, beef, sweet potatoes (2023)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$1.439 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$1.217 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2013
$487.0 million (2013 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2014
$512.1 million (2014 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2015
$533.3 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2016
$297.4 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2017
$272.8 million (2017 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2018
$60.7 million (2018 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2019
$176.1 million (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2020
$270.9 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
$125.318 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$140.972 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
$107.534 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
$78.3 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2022
$1.248 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2023
$923.266 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates
18.3177 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
emalangeni per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2013
9.6551 (2013 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2014
10.8527 (2014 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2015
12.7589 (2015 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2016
14.7096 (2016 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2017
13.3238 (2017 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2018
13.2339 (2018 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2019
14.4518 (2019 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
16.4703 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
14.7834 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
16.3623 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
18.4536 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
18.3177 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, garments, wood (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2014
$1.942 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2015
$1.753 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2016
$1.686 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2017
$1.926 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2018
$1.898 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2019
$2.067 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2020
$1.803 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$2.132 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$2.095 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$2.174 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2024
$2.612 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
48.7% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
19.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
64% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
-51.4% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
16.1% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
3.1% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
6.8% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
34.7% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
51.7% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$11,799 (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.892 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$14.664 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016
54.6 (2016 est.)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: highest 10%
42.7% (2016 est.)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%
1.4% (2016 est.)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, electricity, plastic products, cotton fabric, garments (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2015
$1.696 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2016
$1.640 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2017
$1.951 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2018
$2.072 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2019
$1.934 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2020
$1.671 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$2.173 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$2.288 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$2.351 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2024
$2.610 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
0.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015
4.95% (2015 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016
7.85% (2016 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
6.22% (2017 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018
4.82% (2018 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
2.60% (2019 est.)
Economy: Labor force
390,600 (2024 est.)
Economy: Population below poverty line
58.90% (2016 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2014
14.31% (2014 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2016
20.55% (2016 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2017
21.89% (2017 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2018
27.11% (2018 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2019
29.80% (2019 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2020
38.36% (2020 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2021
35.72% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014
$9.506 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015
$9.589 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016
$9.753 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$9.942 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019
$10.912 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020
$11.127 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$12.054 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$12.135 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$12.553 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$12.885 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2015
1.70% (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2016
2.95% (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2017
3.52% (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2018
0.07% (2018 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2019
6.43% (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2020
-2.95% (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
4.24% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
1.1% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.53% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.97% (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2014
$8,366 (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2015
$8,391 (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2016
$8,484 (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2017
$8,584 (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2019
$9,248 (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2020
$9,329 (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2021
$9,990 (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$10,635 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$11,300 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2013
$75.1 million (2013 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2014
$95.8 million (2014 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2015
$95.8 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2020
$112.5 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
2.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
2.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
$33.3 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2015
$548.0 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2016
$564.3 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2017
$563.1 million (2017 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2018
$440.7 million (2018 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019
$440.3 million (2019 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020
$545.6 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$572.282 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$452.352 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$479.261 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$536.6 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Taxes and other revenues
24.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2019
28.22% (2019 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2020
32.98% (2020 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2021
34.15% (2021 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022
36.47% (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2023
34.61% (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2024
34.64% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): female
60.3% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male
56% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total
58.2% (2024 est.)
Energy: Coal: consumption
202,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: exports
4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: imports
201,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: production
253,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: proven reserves
4.644 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - rural areas
81.6%
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
82.3% (2022 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - urban areas
86.1%
Energy: Electricity generation sources: biomass and waste
37.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: hydroelectricity
54.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
4.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
1.308 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: imports
928.237 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
285,000 kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
167.476 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023
18.823 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from coal and metallurgical coke
410,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
916,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
1.326 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
varies from tropical to near temperate
Environment: Environmental issues
limited supplies of potable water; overhunting depleting wildlife; population growth, deforestation, and overgrazing lead to soil erosion and soil degradation
Environment: 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
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
69.5% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 10.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 58.1% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
25.4% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
5.2% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
16.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Total renewable water resources
4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: agricultural
1.006 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: industrial
20.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: municipal
41.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
26.25% (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
218,200 tons (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: percent of municipal solid waste recycled
17.3% (2022 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Geography: Area: land
17,204 sq km
Geography: Area: water
160 sq km
Geography: Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Emlembe 1,862 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Great Usutu River 21 m
Geography: Elevation: mean elevation
305 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
26 30 S, 31 30 E
Geography: Geography - note
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Geography: Irrigated land
500 sq km (2012)
Geography: Land boundaries: border countries
Mozambique 108 km; South Africa 438 km
Geography: Land boundaries: total
546 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
69.5% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 10.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 58.1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
25.4% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
5.2% (2023 est.)
Geography: Map references
Africa
Geography: Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Geography: Natural hazards
drought
Geography: 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
Geography: Terrain
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Government: Administrative divisions
4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Government: 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
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
26 19 S, 31 08 E
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
no
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
both parents must be citizens of Eswatini
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
no
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Government: 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
Government: Constitution: history
previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Eswatini
Government: Country name: etymology
the country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swati territory was expanded and unified
Government: Country name: former
Swaziland
Government: Country name: local long form
Umbuso weSwatini
Government: Country name: local short form
eSwatini
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since August 2025)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
ConsularMbabane@state.gov Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Eswatini (usembassy.gov)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
Corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini, P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX
[268] 2416-3344
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC 20521-2350
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
(268) 2417-9000
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
swaziland@compuserve.com
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 234-8254
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 234-5002
Government: 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
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)
Government: 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: International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Government: 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
Government: 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)
Government: Judicial branch: 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
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
Government: Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name
House of Assembly
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: expected date of next election
September 2028
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: most recent election date
9/29/2023
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: number of seats
74 (59 directly elected; 4 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: percentage of women in chamber
21.6%
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: term in office
5 years
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name
Senate
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: expected date of next election
November 2028
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: most recent election date
11/6/2023
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: number of seats
30 (10 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: percentage of women in chamber
46.7%
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: term in office
5 years
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
bicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Parliament (Libandla)
Government: National anthem(s): history
adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
Government: 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”
Government: National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
Government: National holiday
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)
Government: National symbol(s)
lion, elephant
Government: 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
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age
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.
Military and Security: 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: 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: Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 3,000 active-duty Defense Force (2025)
Military and Security: 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 and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2015
1.75% (2015 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2016
2.07% (2016 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2017
1.92% (2017 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2018
2.10% (2018 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2019
1.89% (2019 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2020
1.86% (2020 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2021
1.68% (2021 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2022
1.65% (2022 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2023
1.38% (2023 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2024
1.44% (2024 est.)
Military and Security: Military service age and obligation
18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
31.6% (male 180,328/female 179,840)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
64.3% (male 341,298/female 390,884)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
4% (2024 est.) (male 16,974/female 28,765)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
2.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
5.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
7.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
20.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Child marriage: men married by age 18
0% (2022)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 15
0.1% (2022)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 18
1.9% (2022)
People and Society: Children under the age of 5 years underweight
5% (2021 est.)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
7.50% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
36.4% (2022 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
7.5 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
13.3 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
52.2 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
44.7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
total: 73.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: 98% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 26.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: 2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
6% of GDP (2024 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
19.2% national budget (2025 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditures
6.03% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Ethnic groups
predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
1.3 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
23.40% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
2.0 beds/1,000 population (2013 est.)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
32.5 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
40.7 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
42.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
67.1 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
61.3 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: female
90.4% (2022 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: male
91.1% (2022 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: total population
90.75% (2022 est.)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
118 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
People and Society: Median age: female
25.8 years
People and Society: Median age: male
23.4 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Swati; note - former term, Swazi, still used among English speakers
People and Society: Net migration rate
-3.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
16.5% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
People and Society: Population
1,242,822 (2024 est.)
People and Society: 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
People and Society: Population growth rate
1.00% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
580,064
People and Society: Population: male
557,204
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: rural
rural: 84.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
total: 86.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: urban
urban: 92.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: rural
rural: 15.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 13.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: urban
urban: 7.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
0.87 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.59 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
1.2% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
16.1% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
8.5% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
2.72 children born/woman (2024 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
26.25% (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs
56 (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees
4,459 (2024 est.)
Transportation: Airports
16 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
3DC
Transportation: Heliports
1 (2025)
Transportation: Railways: narrow gauge
301 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Transportation: Railways: total
301 km (2014)
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.