Eswatini

A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18^th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19^th 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-19^th 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.

26 30 S, 31 30 E

drought

slightly smaller than New Jersey

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

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

varies from tropical to near temperate

0 km (landlocked)

Total: 546 km

Border countries (2): Mozambique 108 km; South Africa 438 km

Agricultural land: 69.5% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 10.3% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 58.1% (2022 est.)

Forest: 29.1% (2022 est.)

Other: 1.5% (2022 est.)

none (landlocked)

asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Africa

500 sq km (2012)

4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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

Highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m

Mean elevation: 305 m

Total : 17,364 sq km

Land: 17,204 sq km

Water: 160 sq km

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)

At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total population: 90.7% (2022 est.)

Male: 91.1% (2022 est.)

Female: 90.4% (2022 est.)

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

Urban population: 24.8% of total population (2023)

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

Improved:

Urban: 98% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 73.5% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 2% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 26.5% of population (2022 est.)

68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018)

0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Total dependency ratio: 55.4 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 49.2 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 6.2 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 16 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 92.4% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 84.2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 86.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 7.6% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 15.8% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 13.8% of population (2022 est.)

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.)

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

7% of GDP (2021)

11.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

1.17 (2024 est.)

37.1% (2023 est.)

Women married by age 15: 0.1% (2022)

Women married by age 18: 1.9% (2022)

Men married by age 18: 0% (2022)

Total: 58.2% (2024 est.)

Male: 56% (2024 est.)

Female: 60.3% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 24.6 years (2024 est.)

Male: 23.4 years

Female: 25.8 years

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

2.37 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 1,138,089 (2024 est.)

Male: 538,600

Female: 599,489

Total: 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 40.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 32.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 8.5% (2025 est.)

Male: 16.1% (2025 est.)

Female: 1.2% (2025 est.)

16.5% (2016)

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

22.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 7.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 2.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 5.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 60.7 years (2024 est.)

Male: 58.7 years

Female: 62.8 years

6% of GDP (2024 est.)

19.2% national budget (2025 est.)

0.7% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 41.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 20.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 1.006 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 218,200 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.3% (2022 est.)

16.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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.)

18.823 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since August 2025)

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

Mailing address: 2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC  20521-2350

Telephone: (268) 2417-9000

FAX: [268] 2416-3344

Email address and website:
ConsularMbabane@state.gov

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

4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

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

Geographic coordinates: 26 19 S, 31 08 E

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

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

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

Chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)

Head of government: Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)

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

Election/appointment process: The monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly

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

6 September 1968 (from the UK)

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

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

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

Note: The Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters

mixed system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislature name: Parliament (Libandla)

Legislative structure: Bicameral

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

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

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 

18 years of age

absolute monarchy

Conventional long form: Kingdom of Eswatini

Conventional short form: Eswatini

Local long form: Umbuso weSwatini

Local short form: ESwatini

Former: Swaziland

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

Note: Pronounced ay-swatini or eh-swatini

Chief of mission: Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022)

Chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

Telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002

FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254

Email address and website:
Swaziland@compuserve.com

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

Lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT

History: Adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

lion, elephant

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

blue, yellow, red

58.9% (2016 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 1.4% (2016 est.)

Highest 10%: 42.7% (2016 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $1.217 billion (2021 est.)

Expenditures: $1.439 billion (2021 est.)

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

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

emalangeni per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
18.318 (2024 est.)
18.454 (2023 est.)
16.362 (2022 est.)
14.783 (2021 est.)
16.47 (2020 est.)

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

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

$4.892 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 64% (2023 est.)

Government consumption: 19.5% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 16.1% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories: 3.1% (2023 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 48.7% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -51.4% (2023 est.)

Note: Figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

390,600 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$923.266 million (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

$479.261 million (2023 est.)
$452.352 million (2022 est.)
$572.282 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

35.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

Note: central government debt as a % of GDP

34.4% (2024 est.)
35.1% (2023 est.)
35.4% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

24.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

Note: Central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$12.885 billion (2024 est.)
$12.553 billion (2023 est.)
$12.135 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

2.6% (2019 est.)
4.8% (2018 est.)
6.2% (2017 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$107.534 million (2023 est.)
-$140.972 million (2022 est.)
$125.318 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$10,400 (2024 est.)
$10,200 (2023 est.)
$10,000 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$2.351 billion (2023 est.)
$2.288 billion (2022 est.)
$2.173 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$2.174 billion (2023 est.)
$2.095 billion (2022 est.)
$2.132 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

2.6% (2024 est.)
3.4% (2023 est.)
1.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.5% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 6.8% (2023 est.)

Industry: 34.7% (2023 est.)

Services: 51.7% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 82.3% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas: 86.1%

Electrification - rural areas: 81.6%

Production: 253,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption: 202,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 201,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 4.644 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 4.9% 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.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 285,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 1.308 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 928.237 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 167.476 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 58% (2023 est.)

.sz

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

Total subscriptions: 1.52 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 122 (2022 est.)

Total: 34,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 42,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)

Total: 301 km (2014)

Narrow gauge: 301 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

3DC

16 (2025)

1 (2025)

18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023)

1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

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

approximately 3,000 active-duty Defense Force (2023)

the UEDF has a light and small inventory of mostly older equipment originating from Europe, South Africa, and the US (2024)

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 (2024)

Refugees: 4,459 (2024 est.)

IDPs: 56 (2024 est.)

Chamber name: House of Assembly

Number of seats: 74 (59 directly elected; 4 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 9/29/2023

Percentage of women in chamber: 21.6%

Expected date of next election: September 2028

Note: Four women, one representing each region, elected by the members if representation of elected women is less than 30%

Chamber name: Senate

Number of seats: 30 (10 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 11/6/2023

Percentage of women in chamber: 46.7%

Expected date of next election: November 2028

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”

54.6 (2016 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality