Country Profile: Eswatini

Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa, is bordered by Mozambique to the northeast and South Africa to the west, south, and east. The nation has a diverse population of approximately 1.14 million people, primarily of the Swazi ethnic group. Eswatini's economy is characterized by a reliance on agriculture and industry, with significant challenges including high unemployment and poverty rates. Governed as an absolute monarchy, the country's political landscape has faced turmoil, particularly in response to pro-democracy movements in recent years.

Geography

Eswatini is situated in Southern Africa, bordered by Mozambique and South Africa. The country's terrain is predominantly mountainous with some moderately sloping plains, and it has a total area of 17,364 square kilometers. Climate varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the highlands, making it favorable for agriculture. Being landlocked, Eswatini has no coastline and its water resources are limited, often leading to droughts.

Total area: 17,364 sq km (2023)
Land boundaries: 546 km with Mozambique (108 km) and South Africa (438 km)
Elevation: Highest point at Emlembe (1,862 m)
Natural resources: Asbestos, coal, hydropower, and small gold and diamond deposits
Agriculture: 69.5% of land is used for agricultural purposes (2023)

People and Society

The population of Eswatini is estimated at around 1.14 million in 2025, with a median age of 24.8 years. The majority of citizens identify as Swazi, and the official languages are English and siSwati. A significant portion of the population (90%) professes Christianity, with the remaining practicing various other religions. Urbanization remains low, with only 24.8% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

Population growth rate: 0.87% (2025 est.)
Life expectancy: 60.7 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate: 90.8% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 20.66 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
Urban population: 24.8% of total population (2023)

Economy

Eswatini's economy is primarily agrarian, but it also has a growing industrial sector. The country is heavily dependent on South Africa for trade and has been affected by economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment remains critically high at around 34.4% for 2024, impacting the overall economic stability. The GDP per capita is estimated at $10,400 in 2024.

GDP (PPP): $12.885 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 34.4% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 58.9% below the national poverty line (2016 est.)
Main industries: Textiles, sugar processing, and forestry
Inflation rate: 2.6% (2019 est.)

Government

Eswatini is an absolute monarchy, with King MSWATI III serving as both head of state and government. The political system comprises a bicameral parliament, with a House of Assembly and a Senate, although political party activities are restricted. The legal framework is a mix of civil, common, and customary law, with the latest constitution enacted in 2006.

Independence: 6 September 1968 (from the UK)
Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (legislative)
Suffrage: Citizens may vote from age 18
Constitution: Effective since February 2006

Military and Security

Eswatini's military forces, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF), focus on external defense and internal security. The military budget for 2024 is 1.4% of GDP, with approximately 3,000 active-duty personnel. There is no conscription, and military service is voluntary for individuals aged 18 to 35.

Military expenditure: 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active personnel: 3,000 (2025)
Military equipment: Primarily older light weapons from various countries

Energy

Eswatini relies significantly on hydropower for its energy needs, with over half of its electricity generation capacity coming from this source. As of 2022, 82.3% of the population has access to electricity, with notable differences in urban and rural accessibility.

Electricity consumption: 1.308 billion kWh (2023)
Installed capacity: 285,000 kW (2023)
Hydroelectricity: 54.4% of total installed capacity (2023)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Eswatini include limited potable water supplies, deforestation, and soil erosion due to agricultural practices and population growth. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, including those on biodiversity and climate change.

Forest cover: 25.4% of land area (2023)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.326 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

Eswatini has a variety of transport infrastructures, including a network of roads and railways, and an increasing number of airports. The country's total railway length stands at 301 km, primarily of narrow gauge.

Airports: 16 (2025)
Railways: 301 km (2014)

Communications

Telecommunications in Eswatini have seen growth, with increasing mobile subscriptions and a notable urban-rural divide in access to fixed line and broadband services. As of 2023, 58% of the population uses the internet.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 1.74 million (2024)
Internet users: 58% of the population (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,137,268 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	17,364 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$12.885 billion (2024 est.)	Estimated GDP at purchasing power parity
Unemployment rate	34.4% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Life expectancy at birth	60.7 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Birth rate	20.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Births per 1,000 people
Electricity access	82.3% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population with electricity access
Carbon dioxide emissions	1.326 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)	Total CO2 emissions
Total energy consumption per capita	18.823 million Btu/person (2023 est.)	Energy consumption per person
Gini Index coefficient	54.6 (2016 est.)	Measure of income inequality