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Eswatini
Eswatini
Population
1.2M
Rank #159Source: World Bank
Capital
Mbabane
Source: REST Countries
Region
Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Source: REST Countries
GDP (Nominal)
$4.86B
Rank #159Source: World Bank
Land Area
17.4K km²
Rank #155Source: REST Countries
Life Expectancy
64.123 yrs
Source: World Bank
Historical Trends
Population Trend (5-Year)
Source: World Bank
GDP Trend (5-Year, Nominal USD)
Source: World Bank
Geography
Area: 17,364 km²
Landlocked: Yes
Independent: Yes
Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation: mean elevation: 305 m lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural Hazards: drought
Environmental Issues: limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; population growth, deforestation, and overgrazing lead to soil erosion and soil degradation
Land Use: agricultural land: 68.3% (2011 est.) forest: 31.7% (2011 est.) other: 0% (2011 est.)
Geography Note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Natural Resources
asbestoscoalclaycassiteritehydropowerforestssmall gold and diamond depositsquarry stoneand talc
People & Society
Fertility Rate
2.75
Population
1.2M
Religions
Christian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship - (40%)Roman Catholic (20%)other (30%)Muslim (2%)other (8%)
Economy
GDP per Capita
$3,909.559
GDP per Capita PPP
11,799.203
(2024)
(2024)
GNI per Capita
3,590
(2024)
(2024)
Gini Index
54.6
(2016)
(2016)
Unemployment
34.643%
(2024)
(2024)
Inflation
2.598%
(2019)
(2019)
Public Debt
35.724%
(2021)
(2021)
Energy
Electricity Access
86.4%
(2023)
(2023)
Renewable Energy
64.7%
(2022)
(2022)
CO₂ Emissions
1.094 Mt
(2024)
(2024)
Energy Intensity
3.89 MJ/$
(2022)
(2022)
Renewable Electricity
83.072%
(2021)
(2021)
Environment
Forest Coverage
29.139% of land
(2023)
(2023)
Communications
Internet Users
57.62%
(2023)
(2023)
Mobile Penetration
128.399%
(2023)
(2023)
Broadband Subscribers
2.764%
(2023)
(2023)
Transportation
Air Transport Freight
0.029 M ton-km
(2022)
(2022)
Container Port Traffic
Not Available
Airports
2,599.2
Rail Lines
300 km
Roads Total
N/A
Military
Military Forces
Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing (no operational aircraft))
Personnel Strength
the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force has approximately 3,100 active personnel (3,000 Army; 100 Air Force)
Military Expenditure (USD)
$0.08B
Military Expenditure (% of GDP)
1.44%
Military Expenditure History
1.8% of GDP (2019) 1.9% of GDP (2018) 1.9% of GDP (2017) 2% of GDP (2016) 1.8% of GDP (2015)
Equipment & Inventories
the inventory of the UEDF consists mostly of equipment from South Africa; the only publicly recorded military acquisitions since 2010 were two secondhand helicopters from Taiwan in 2019 (2020)
Service Age & Obligation
18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted
Education
Pre-Primary Enrollment
30.01%
(2014)
(2014)
Primary Enrollment
116.527%
(2023)
(2023)
Secondary Enrollment
88.291%
(2022)
(2022)
Tertiary Enrollment
6.435%
(2013)
(2013)
Education Spending
6.031% of GDP
(2024)
(2024)
Adult Literacy Rate
90.75%
(2022)
(2022)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
26.596:1
(2017)
(2017)
Health
Physicians per 1,000
0.557
(2023)
(2023)
Safe Water Access
80.374%
(2024)
(2024)
Safe Drinking Water
38.217%
(2024)
(2024)
Under-5 Mortality
45 per 1,000
(2023)
(2023)
Maternal Mortality (World Bank)
14.667 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Hospital Beds per 1,000
57.866
(2021)
(2021)
UHC Coverage Index
72
(2023)
(2023)
Measles Immunization
84%
(2024)
(2024)
Social Indicators
Extreme Poverty Rate
44.5%
(2016)
(2016)
Food Insecurity
14.7%
(2023)
(2023)
Youth NEET Rate
54.391%
(2023)
(2023)
Governance
Women in Government
21.622%
(2024)
(2024)
Voice & Accountability
-1.17
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Political Stability
-0.36
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Government Effectiveness
-0.89
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Regulatory Quality
-0.72
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Rule of Law
-0.60
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Control of Corruption
-0.73
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Government
Government Type
absolute monarchy
Legal System
mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
Executive Branch
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo DLAMINI (since 27 October 2018); Deputy Prime Minister Themba MASUKU (since 6 November...
Legislative Branch
description: bicameral Parliament (Libandla) consists of: Senate (30 seats; 20 members appointed by the monarch and 10 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the House of Assembly; members...
Judicial Branch
highest courts: 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); note - the Supreme Court has...
National Symbols
Flag Description
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff...
National Symbols
lion, elephant; national colors: blue, yellow, red
National Anthem
name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi) lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT note: adopted 1968; uses elements...
Safety
Homicide Rate
12.515 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Travel Information
Language(s): English, Swazi
Currency: SZL (L), ZAR (R)
Timezone(s): UTC+02:00
Landlocked: Yes
Independent: Yes
Driving Side: Left
Calling Code: +268
Car Sign: SD
Week Starts: Monday
Photos
Data sources: World Bank, UN Data • Updated daily •Learn about our data