Country Profile: Eswatini

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa, bordered by Mozambique and South Africa. With a population of approximately 1.14 million people, the nation faces significant challenges, including high unemployment rates and severe poverty. Its economy is heavily dependent on trade with South Africa and has been impacted by a history of HIV/AIDS, which disrupts the labor force. Governed as an absolute monarchy, Eswatini's political landscape is characterized by limited political party activity and recent efforts to engage in national dialogue.

Geography

Eswatini is situated in Southern Africa, nestled between Mozambique and South Africa. The country covers an area of 17,364 sq km, characterized by mountainous terrain and a climate that ranges from tropical to near temperate. As a landlocked nation, it has no coastline and a total land boundary of 546 km.

Elevation: Highest point at 1,862 m (Emlembe) and lowest point at 21 m (Great Usutu River).
Natural Resources: Includes asbestos, coal, hydropower, and small gold deposits.
Climate: Varies significantly, influencing agriculture and water resources.

People and Society

Eswatini's population is estimated at 1,138,089 in 2024, predominantly composed of the Swazi ethnic group, with a rich cultural heritage reflected in its official languages, siSwati and English. The society is primarily Christian, with about 90% of the population adhering to various Christian denominations.

Urbanization: 24.8% of the population resides in urban areas as of 2023.
Median Age: The median age is 24.6 years; about 31.6% are aged 0-14 years.
Literacy Rate: Approximately 90.7% of the population is literate as of 2022.

Economy

Eswatini's economy is defined by its landlocked status and reliance on South African trade, with a GDP of approximately $4.892 billion in 2024. The nation faces economic hurdles such as persistent unemployment and inflation pressures.

GDP Growth Rate: Estimated at 2.6% for 2024.
Unemployment Rate: Stands at 34.4% as of 2024.
Poverty: About 58.9% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2016.

Government

Eswatini operates as an absolute monarchy, with King MSWATI III serving as the head of state since 1986. The political system does not clearly define the status of political parties, limiting democratic engagement.

Constitution: The current constitution was enacted in 2005, providing for a mixed legal system.
Legislature: The bicameral Parliament includes the House of Assembly and Senate.
Suffrage: Voting is available to citizens aged 18 and above.

Military and Security

The Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF) is tasked with defense and security, comprising about 3,000 active-duty members. The military budget accounts for 1.4% of GDP in 2024.

Service Age: Voluntary military service is available for those aged 18-35.
Equipment: UEDF possesses a light inventory of mostly older equipment from Europe, South Africa, and the US.

Energy

Eswatini has a total electricity access rate of 82.3% as of 2022, with a significant portion generated from renewable sources.

Installed Capacity: Approximately 285,000 kW as of 2023.
Energy Consumption: Total energy consumption per capita recorded at 18.823 million Btu in 2023.
Hydroelectricity: Accounts for 54.4% of the total installed electricity capacity.

Environment

Environmental challenges in Eswatini include limited potable water supplies and deforestation, impacting agricultural productivity.

Urban Population: 24.8% of the total population lives in urban areas (2023).
Climate Issues: Varied climate contributes to both opportunities and challenges in managing water resources.

Transportation

Eswatini's transportation infrastructure includes 16 airports and a railway total of 301 km, primarily of a narrow gauge.

Civil Aircraft Registration: The country code prefix is 3DC.
Airports: Number of airports expected to remain stable at 16 by 2025.

Communications

The communications sector is evolving, with 58% of the population using the internet as of 2023.

Mobile Subscriptions: Approximately 1.52 million mobile cellular subscriptions were recorded.
Television and Radio: Limited broadcast media primarily state-owned.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,138,089	Estimate for 2024
Area	17,364 sq km
GDP	$4.892 billion	Estimates for 2024
Unemployment Rate	34.4%	Estimate for 2024
Birth Rate	22.3 births/1,000 population	Estimate for 2024
Life Expectancy	60.7 years	Estimate for 2024
Literacy Rate	90.7%	Estimate for 2022
Energy Consumption per Capita	18.823 million Btu/person	Estimate for 2023
Access to Electricity	82.3%	Estimate for 2022
Total Area of Agricultural Land	69.5% (2022 est.)