Country Profile: Eswatini

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. The country has a population of approximately 1.1 million people and operates under an absolute monarchy, with King MSWATI III as its head of state. The economy relies heavily on trade with South Africa, and while it is classified as a lower-middle-income nation, it faces significant challenges including high levels of poverty, unemployment, and an alarming HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Geography

Eswatini covers an area of 17,364 square kilometers and features a varied terrain dominated by mountains and hills, alongside some plains. The country is landlocked, entirely surrounded by South Africa, and has a range of climates from tropical to near temperate. Natural resources include asbestos, coal, clay, and hydropower.

Total area: 17,364 sq km
Land area: 17,204 sq km
Water area: 160 sq km
Highest point: Emlembe at 1,862 m
Lowest point: Great Usutu River at 21 m
Agricultural land use: 69.5% (2023 est.)

People and Society

With a population of approximately 1.1 million, the majority of Eswatini’s inhabitants are of Swazi descent. The official languages are English and siSwati, and a sizeable portion (around 90%) of the population identifies as Christian. The demographic structure is youthful, with a median age of 24.8 years, and urbanization is gradually increasing.

Population (2025 est.): 1,137,268
Urban population: 24.8% of total (2023)
Birth rate: 20.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life expectancy: 60.7 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate: 90.8% (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Economy

Eswatini's economy is characterized as a landlocked southern African economy with a heavy dependence on South African trade and pegged currency. It grapples with issues such as high unemployment, inflation, and widespread poverty. The economy relies on agriculture, services, and manufacturing, with key sectors including soft drink production and sugar processing.

Real GDP (PPP, 2024 est.): $12.885 billion
GDP per capita (PPP, 2024 est.): $10,400
Unemployment rate: 34.4% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 58.9% below the poverty line (2016 est.)
Exports (2023 est.): $2.174 billion
Imports (2023 est.): $2.351 billion

Government

Eswatini is governed as an absolute monarchy, with a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Assembly and the Senate. The king has significant powers, including appointing the prime minister. The legal system combines civil, common, and customary law, and the political party system is underdeveloped due to restrictions.

Government type: Absolute monarchy
Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal)
Independence: 6 September 1968
Suffrage: 18 years of age
Recent elections: National elections in November 2023

Military and Security

The Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF) is responsible for external defense and internal security, operating under the king as commander-in-chief. Military expenditures are about 1.4% of the GDP, and Eswatini maintains a small active-duty military presence.

Estimated military personnel: 3,000 active-duty (2025)
Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
No conscription: Voluntary military service for ages 18-35

Energy

Eswatini's energy sector relies heavily on hydropower, supplemented by biomass and fossil fuels. Although approximately 82.3% of the population has access to electricity, loss during transmission and distribution remains a concern.

Total installed generating capacity: 285,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 1.308 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Hydroelectricity share: 54.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Environment

Eswatini faces several environmental issues, including limited potable water supplies and soil degradation due to population growth and deforestation. It is a party to multiple international agreements addressing biodiversity and climate change.

Urban population: 24.8% (2023)
Total renewable water resources: 4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.326 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure includes multiple airports and a railway network that connects key regions. Civil aviation is growing, and the country has several heliports as well.

Total airports: 16 (2025)
Railways: 301 km (2014)

Communications

Eswatini has made strides in telecommunications. A significant portion of the population has mobile connectivity, though fixed-line subscriptions remain limited. Internet penetration is also growing steadily.

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

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,137,268	(2025 est.)
Area	17,364 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$12.885 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	34.4%	(2024 est.)
Birth rate	20.66 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Life expectancy	60.7 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy rate	90.8%	(2022 est.)
Military expenditures	1.4% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Electricity access	82.3%	(2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions	1.326 million metric tonnes	(2023 est.)