Eswatini
Eswatini⌘K
Overview
- 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
- varies from tropical to near temperate
- Terrain
- mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping 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
- Southern Africa, between 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; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
- Natural resources
- asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
- Area comparative
- slightly smaller than New Jersey
- Geographic coordinates
- 26 30 S, 31 30 E
- 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 & Society
Literacy
- Male
- 91.1% (2022 est.)
- Female
- 90.4% (2022 est.)
- Total population
- 90.8% (2022 est.)
- Languages
- English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)
- 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), emaSwati (plural); note - former term, Swazi(s), still used among English speakers
- Adjective
- Swati; note - former term, Swazi, still used 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
- predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry
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
- 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
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.)
Government
Civica · structure
How power is organised
ExecutiveLegislative
- 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
Capital
- Name
- Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative 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
- Time difference
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during 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
- previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006
- 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
Country Name
- Note
- note: pronounced ay-swatini or eh-swatini
- Former
- Swaziland
- Etymology
- the country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule 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
- mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
- Government type
- absolute monarchy
Judicial Branch
- Note
- note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- 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 for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
- 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
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)
- Head of government
- Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)
- Election/appointment process
- the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly
- National holiday
- Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)
- National color(s)
- blue, yellow, red
- 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
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 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
- Lyrics/music
- Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
- National symbol(s)
- lion, elephant
- 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”
- Administrative divisions
- 4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Legislative Branch Lower Chamber
- Note
- note: four women, one representing each region, elected by the members if representation of elected women is less than 30%
- Chamber name
- House of Assembly
- Term in office
- 5 years
- Number of seats
- 74 (59 directly elected; 4 indirectly elected; 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
swaziland@compuserve.com
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
ConsularMbabane@state.gov
Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Eswatini (usembassy.gov)
- International organisations
- 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
Legislature
ESWATINI · LOWER HOUSE
House of Assembly
74 seats · hover a seat for the party
Total seats
74
Majority line
38
Largest party
—
Parties
—
Upper house
ESWATINI · UPPER HOUSE
Senate
30 seats · hover a seat for the party
Total seats
30
Majority line
16
Largest party
—
Parties
—
Leaders
Current
Mswati III
- Head of State
Russell Dlamini
- Head of Government
Economy
Budget
- Note
- note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- Revenues
- $1.217 billion (2021 est.)
- Expenditures
- $1.439 billion (2021 est.)
Exports
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- $2.6B
- Note
- note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- Exports 2021
- $2.132 billion (2021 est.)
- Exports 2022
- $2.095 billion (2022 est.)
- Exports 2023
- $2.174 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- $2.6B
- Note
- note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- 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
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- 35.7%
- Note
- note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- Public debt 2021
- 35.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances
- Note
- note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- 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
- Note
- note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- 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
Unemployment Rate
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- 34.2%
- Note
- note: % of labor force seeking employment
- 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
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- $11,799
- Note
- note: data in 2021 dollars
- 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
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- 3.0%
- Note
- note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- 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
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- $78.3M
- Note
- note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- 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
- Note
- note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- 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)
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- 2.6%
- Note
- note: annual % change based on 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)
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- $12.885 billion (2024 est.)
- Note
- note: data in 2021 dollars
- 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.)
- Note
- note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- Total
- 58.2% (2024 est.)
- Female
- 60.3% (2024 est.)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
- Note
- note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- 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
- Note
- note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- Industry
- 34.7% (2023 est.)
- Services
- 51.7% (2023 est.)
- Agriculture
- 6.8% (2023 est.)
Household Income or Consumption BY Percentage Share
- Note
- note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- Lowest 10%
- 1.4% (2016 est.)
- Highest 10%
- 42.7% (2016 est.)
Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income
- Note
- note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- 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
- 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
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.)
Transport
- 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
Environment
- Climate
- varies from tropical to near 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
- limited supplies of potable water; overhunting depleting wildlife; population growth, deforestation, and overgrazing lead to soil erosion and soil degradation
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
Military & 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 Expenditures
- Civica canonical (reconciled)
- 1.4%
- 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): Army (includes a small air wing); the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) (2025)
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (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 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.)
Scores & Rankings
ScoreValueGlobal rankTrendAs of
Civica Index20.0 / 100as of 2024-Q4164 / 1902024-Q4
V-Dem Liberal Democracy0.10as of 2024-Q4139 / 1702024-Q4
Freedom House StatusNot Free (8/100)as of 2024-Q4—2024-Q4
Press Freedom (RSF)Partly free (50/100)as of 2024—2024
Cite this page
Cite this page
Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Eswatini — vintage 2026-Q1: Eswatini factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/eswatini
Sources: FAO FAOSTAT, ILO ILOSTAT, IMF (WEO), UN Statistics Division, UNDP HDR, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, V-Dem, WHO Global Health Observatory, World Bank, WTO Stats, CIA World Factbook, Wikidata