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Eswatini

Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 1
Currency
💱 Swazi lilangeni
Languages
🗣️ English, Swazi
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 36 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Kingdom of Eswatini
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Swazi
Independence
September 6, 1968 (from the UK)
Top-Level Domain
.sz
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+268
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+02:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Mbabane
ISO Alpha-2
SZ
ISO Alpha-3
SWZ
UN Code
748
Geographic Coordinates
-26.5,31.5
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
17,364#159 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
1,235,549#158 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
71.54
Highest Point (m)
1,862 meters (Emlembe)
Lowest Point (m)
21 meters
Land Use
Primarily agricultural, with forests and grasslands.
Irrigated Land
Approximately 250 square kilometers.
Coastline Length
This landlocked country has no coastline.
Climate
Varies from subtropical to temperate; hot, wet summers and dry winters.
Natural Resources
Coal, diamonds, quarry stone, and hydropower.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Mozambique, South Africa
Major Rivers
The major rivers include the Great Usutu, Komati, and Ngwavuma.
Major Lakes
This country has no major lakes.
Government Type
Monarchy
Administrative Divisions
4 regions (Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, and Shiselweni)
Legal System
Based on Roman-Dutch law and Swazi customary law.
Chief of State
King Mswati III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini
Cabinet
Appointed by the Prime Minister with the King's approval.
Elections
Indirect elections are held for the House of Assembly.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court; High Court; Industrial Court; magistrate's courts; traditional courts.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly.
Major Political Parties
Political parties are generally restricted; the main political groups are often based on civic organizations and traditional structures.
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Swazi lilangeni
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
5.16#168 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
15.74#155 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
4,108.25#146 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
6.41
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
33.58
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
52.43
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2019)Checked September 29, 2026
2.6#105 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
430,869
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
34.2#1 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2021)Checked September 29, 2026
35.72
Budget
The government's budget details are available from official sources.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
2.61#151 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
2.61#158 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Information on foreign reserves can be found from the Central Bank.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates can be found online from various financial services.
GDP by Sector
Services, agriculture, and manufacturing are the main sectors.
Major Industries
Sugar, textiles, and forestry are major industries.
Major Export Partners
South Africa, the EU, and the US are major export partners.
Major Import Partners
South Africa, China, and the EU are major import partners.

Society

Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2022)Checked September 29, 2026
90.75#99 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
23.6
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
7.7
Net Migration Rate
Approximately -0.9 migrants per 1,000 population (2022 est.)
Median Age
Approximately 22 years (2022 est.)
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
26.72#198 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Urbanization is a slow, ongoing process.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
64.3#189 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
One of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates globally.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
7.5
Ethnic Groups
The Swazi people make up the majority.
Religions
Christianity is the predominant religion.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
English, Swazi

Education

Education System
Eswatini's education system is modeled after the British system, with primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2013)Checked September 29, 2026
12.8
Government Education Spending
Government spending on education in Eswatini is approximately 7-8% of GDP.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
The University of Eswatini is the main higher education institution.

Culture

Cultural Overview
Eswatini's culture is rich with traditional practices, music, dance, and crafts, heavily influenced by Swazi traditions.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
  • New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
  • Good Friday (2026-04-03)
  • Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
  • King's Birthday (2026-04-20)
  • National Flag Day (2026-04-25)
  • Workers' Day (2026-05-01)
  • Ascension Day (2026-05-14)
  • Independence Day (2026-09-07)
  • Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
  • Boxing Day (2026-12-26)
Popular Music
Gospel and traditional Swazi music are popular, with a growing presence of contemporary genres.
Traditional Food
Traditional foods include *sishwala* (thick maize porridge), *emahewu* (fermented porridge), and meat dishes.
Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport, followed by athletics and rugby.
Major Festivals
Major festivals include the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala ceremonies.
Famous People
Notable figures include King Mswati III and athletes such as Sibusiso Matsenjwa.
Cultural Heritage Sites
There are several historical and cultural sites, including ancient rock art sites.
UNESCO Sites
Eswatini has one UNESCO World Heritage site: the Ngwenya Mine.
Annual Tourist Visits
Around 200,000 visitors annually (pre-pandemic).
Tourism Overview
Tourism focused on wildlife and culture.
Top Tourist Attractions
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Hlane Royal National Park, Ezulwini Valley.
Famous Cities
Mbabane, Manzini.
National Parks
Hlane Royal National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and others.
Protected Areas
Significant portion of land under protection.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Visa requirements vary by nationality; check before travel.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Exercise normal precautions; check for specific advisories.

Healthcare

Healthcare Quality
Healthcare quality is variable and information can be found in global healthcare assessments.
Medical Cost
Medical costs vary depending on the service and provider.
Number of Hospitals
There are several hospitals and clinics across the country.
Universal Healthcare
Eswatini has a public healthcare system, but access and quality vary.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, with varying levels of quality.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, but access can be limited in certain areas.

Emergency & Safety

Emergency Number (Police)
The emergency number for the police is 999.
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
The emergency number for ambulances is 977.
Emergency Number (Fire)
The emergency number for the fire department is 997.
Crime Rate
Crime rates vary, with property crimes and petty theft being more common.
Safety Index
The safety index fluctuates, influenced by factors such as crime rates and road safety.
Military Expenditure
Military expenditure accounts for a portion of the national budget.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services are available, but response times can vary depending on the location.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
Eswatini maintains a Royal Eswatini Army and a Royal Eswatini Police Service.

Infrastructure

Electricity Access
Electricity access is improving, but still varies between urban and rural areas.
Water Access
Access to clean water is a challenge in some areas, particularly rural ones.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access varies, with improvements ongoing in various communities.
Railways
Eswatini has a railway system primarily used for freight transportation.
Roadways
The road network is a mix of paved and unpaved roads, with ongoing infrastructure development.
Transportation System
The transportation system consists of a network of roads, with limited public transport.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
King Mswati III International Airport (SHO), Matsapha International Airport (MTS)
Ports
This landlocked country has no ports.
Public Transit
Public transportation options are available, mainly consisting of buses and taxis, but can be limited in certain areas.

Technology & Communication

Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
63.4#146 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Information unavailable.
Tech Startups
Limited information available; emerging tech startup scene.
Innovation Index
Generally low; developing innovation ecosystem.
ICT Development Index
Information unavailable.
TV Broadcast Stations
Limited number of TV stations.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Several radio stations.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.88#143 of 202
Air Quality Index
Limited data; generally moderate air quality.
Water Pollution Level
Some water pollution, particularly in urban areas and from agricultural runoff.
Renewable Energy Usage
Limited renewable energy usage; primarily relies on fossil fuels.
Environmental Issues
Soil erosion, deforestation, water scarcity, and air pollution.
Natural Hazards
Droughts, floods, and occasional cyclones.
Waste Management
Inadequate waste management infrastructure, leading to environmental concerns.
Environmental Agreements
Party to international environmental agreements.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Has diplomatic missions in several countries.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
Commonwealth, African Union
Major Treaties
Information not readily available.
Visa-Free Countries
Eswatini citizens can travel visa-free to a number of countries.

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