Country Profile: Eswatini

Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom located in Southern Africa, is bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. The country's population is approximately 1.14 million, predominantly consisting of the Swazi ethnic group. Eswatini's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and services, with significant challenges including high unemployment and widespread poverty. Governed as an absolute monarchy, the kingdom faces ongoing political tensions, particularly surrounding the legal status of political parties and civil liberties.

Geography

Eswatini is situated between Mozambique and South Africa, covering an area of 17,364 square kilometers, slightly smaller than New Jersey. The nation features a varied landscape that includes mountains, hills, and moderately sloping plains, with elevations ranging from 21 meters at the Great Usutu River to 1,862 meters at Emlembe. The climate ranges from tropical to near temperate, contributing to diverse ecosystems that face threats from population growth and deforestation.

69.5% of land used for agriculture (2023)
25.4% of land covered by forests (2023)
546 km of total land borders (with South Africa and Mozambique)
0 km coastline (landlocked)

People and Society

The estimated population of Eswatini is 1,138,089 as of 2024, with a slight gender disparity favoring females. The official languages are English and siSwati, while Christianity is practiced by approximately 90% of the population. Given its rugged terrain, population distribution is uneven, with most people living in valleys and plains. The country is experiencing a modest population growth rate of 0.7%.

31.6% of the population aged 0-14 years (2024)
60.7 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024)
22.3 births/1,000 population birth rate (2024)
58% urban population (2023)

Economy

Eswatini's economy is characterized by significant dependence on South Africa for trade and currency stability, particularly due to its membership in the Common Monetary Area (CMA). Recent years have seen challenges such as slow GDP growth and high unemployment rates, estimated at 34.4% for 2024. Despite these issues, the country remains rich in natural resources and agricultural products.

$12.885 billion real GDP (PPP, 2024)
51.7% of GDP from services sector (2023)
58.9% of the population lives below the poverty line (2016)
6.8% of GDP from agriculture (2023)

Government

The Kingdom of Eswatini is an absolute monarchy with King MSWATI III serving as the head of state since 1986. The legal system is a mix of civil, common, and customary law. Eswatini has experienced political challenges, particularly regarding the role of political parties and participation in elections, most recently held in September 2023.

4 regions in administrative divisions: Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
18 years is the minimum voting age
74 seats in the House of Assembly (2023)
1.4% of GDP spent on military (2024)

Military and Security

Eswatini maintains a small defense force, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF), with approximately 3,000 active-duty personnel. The country's military expenditures are relatively stable, accounting for around 1.4% of GDP. The primary focus of the UEDF is on external defense, alongside domestic security responsibilities.

18-35 years is the age range for voluntary military service
No conscription is in place
Light inventory of mostly older military equipment (2024)

Energy

The energy sector in Eswatini features a mix of generation sources, with hydroelectricity contributing the largest share. As of 2022, about 82.3% of the population had access to electricity, while energy consumption per capita is approximately 18.823 million Btu. However, the country faces challenges related to energy imports and distribution losses.

285,000 kW installed electricity capacity (2023)
54.4% of generation from hydroelectric sources (2023)
928 million kWh of electricity imports (2023)

Environment

Eswatini grapples with several environmental issues, including limited potable water supplies, overhunting, and land degradation due to population growth and deforestation. Urbanization is on the rise, with 24.8% of the population living in urban areas, but environmental pressures continue to threaten natural resources.

1.326 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023)
69.5% of land used for agriculture (2023)
218,200 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024)

Transportation

Eswatini's transport infrastructure includes roads, railways, and airports. The country has 16 airports and a railway system totaling 301 km, facilitating local and regional movement.

301 km of railways (2014)
1 heliport (2025)

Communications

The telecommunications sector is developing, with 58% of the population being internet users as of 2023. The country has a mix of state-owned and private media, with access to external broadcasting services.

1.52 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023)
42,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,138,089	Estimated for 2024
Area	17,364 sq km	Total land area
Real GDP (PPP)	$12.885 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	34.4%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	22.3 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth	60.7 years	Estimated for 2024
Electricity Access	82.3%	Total population with access (2022)
Urban Population	24.8%	Total urban population (2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	1.326 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023
Military Expenditures	1.4% of GDP	Estimated for 2024