Eswatini
SWZSub-Saharan Africa Lower middle incomeCapital: Mbabane▶About Eswatini
Eswatini's GDP is $5.50B (2026), with a population of 1.2M, and GDP per capita of $4,610. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 4.6%, inflation at 4.0%, government debt at 43.5% of GDP, life expectancy of 64.1 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
Economically, this Sub-Saharan African nation is classified as lower middle income. Its capital is Mbabane. The GDP is projected to reach 5.495 billion in 2026, with a growth rate of 4.6%. The GDP per capita is estimated to be 4610.137 in 2026. Inflation is expected to be around 4.0% in the same year. The economy is heavily reliant on trade, with trade to GDP ratio at 107.48% in 2024. Unemployment is a significant challenge, with a rate of 34.202% projected for 2025. Societally, the population is estimated to be 1,242,822 in 2024. Life expectancy stands at 64.123 years as of 2023. The country faces substantial social and economic hurdles, including high unemployment and health challenges.
▶Economy30 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary22 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Trade15 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 107.5% | 2024 | ▲ 7.8% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 53.8% | 2024 | ▲ 10.8% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 53.7% | 2024 | ▲ 4.9% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $2.61B | 2024 | ▲ 16.5% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $2.61B | 2024 | ▲ 10.3% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $2.33B | 2024 | ▲ 11.0% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $2.07B | 2024 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 1.6% | 2024 | ▲ 155.3% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 1.3% | 2024 | ▲ 376.6% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $75.5M | 2024 | ▲ 168.5% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $33.3M | 2024 | ▼ 58.3% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 0.7% | 2024 | ▼ 60.3% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 0.3% | 2023 | ▼ 9.7% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | 1.6% | 2024 | ▼ 24.5% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $78.3M | 2024 | ▼ 20.6% | WB |
▶External Debt7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External Debt (% of GNI) | 27.8% | 2024 | ▼ 2.9% | WB |
| External Debt Stocks (USD) | $1.24B | 2024 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Total Debt Service (% of GNI) | 4.7% | 2024 | ▲ 11.5% | WB |
| Present Value of External Debt (USD) | $748.6M | 2024 | — | WB |
| Use of IMF Credit (USD) | $199.5M | 2024 | ▼ 22.6% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (% of GNI) | 2.6% | 2023 | ▲ 14.6% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (USD) | $110.4M | 2023 | ▲ 13.1% | WB |
▶Finance7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 21.6% | 2024 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 12.9% | 2023 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 6.9% | 2023 | ▲ 3.2% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 65.1% | 2024 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 65.4% | 2024 | ▼ 5.6% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 64.8% | 2024 | ▲ 3.9% | WB |
| Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%) | 27.8% | 2024 | — | WB |
▶Business Environment1 indicator · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Get Electricity (days) | 54 | 2024 | — | WB |
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%) | 9.7% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Top Manager (%) | 50.2% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%) | 34.0% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms Offering Training (%) | 27.7% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Average Firm Age (years) | 3 years | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Computers (%) | 69.8% | 2024 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1.2M | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 1.0% | 2024 | ▲ 5.2% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 72 | 2023 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 17,360 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 17,200 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 26.2% | 2024 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 326,239 | 2024 | ▲ 2.7% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 73.8% | 2024 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 64.1 years | 2023 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 61.2 years | 2023 | ▲ 1.8% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 67.0 years | 2023 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 2.8 | 2023 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 24.1 | 2023 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 7.7 | 2023 | ▼ 4.9% | WB |
| Net Migration | -5,775 | 2025 | ▲ 14.5% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 33.4% | 2024 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 62.4% | 2024 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 4.3% | 2024 | ▲ 2.8% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 60.3% | 2024 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 6.8% | 2024 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 53.5% | 2024 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 348.9 | 2023 | ▼ 6.8% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 232.5 | 2023 | ▼ 8.7% | WB |
▶Labor20 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 430,869 | 2025 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 51.2% | 2025 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 48.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 54.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 34.2% | 2025 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 36.0% | 2025 | ▼ 2.7% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 32.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 54.3% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 14.5% | 2025 | ▼ 2.4% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 26.7% | 2025 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 58.7% | 2025 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 51.2% | 2023 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 28.4% | 2025 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 69.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 25.0% | 2023 | ▲ 17.4% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 1.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 48.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 33.7% | 2025 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 30.2% | 2025 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 36.5% | 2023 | ▲ 6.1% | WB |
▶Education20 indicators · 2014–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 6.0% | 2024 | ▲ 20.5% | WB |
| Education Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 19.2% | 2025 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Adult Literacy Rate (%) | 90.8% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Female Literacy Rate (%) | 90.4% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Male Literacy Rate (%) | 91.1% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Youth Literacy Rate (%) | 98.7% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 116.5% | 2023 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 88.3% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 93.6% | 2023 | ▼ 11.3% | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 67.6% | 2023 | ▼ 11.8% | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 7,275 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Out-of-School Girls, Primary | 4,410 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 8,880 | 2023 | ▲ 2.3% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 7,225 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 27 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 16 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 50.8% | 2014 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary) | 83.2 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 34.1% | 2014 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 13.3% | 2014 | — | WB |
▶Health41 indicators · 2004–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment15 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 0.9 | 2024 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 1 | 2024 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Energy Use (kg oil eq. per capita) | 959 | 2022 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Electric Power Consumption (kWh per capita) | 1,137 | 2022 | ▲ 5.1% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 83.1% | 2021 | ▲ 4.8% | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 64.7% | 2022 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 86.4% | 2023 | ▲ 5.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 50.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 18.8 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 29.1% | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 5,012 | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 10.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 4.2% | 2024 | ▼ 2.3% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 80.4% | 2024 | ▲ 1.5% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 64.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.9% | WHO |
▶Agriculture11 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 69.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 1,228 | 2023 | ▼ 23.1% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 106 | 2022 | ▲ 1.3% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 107.5 | 2022 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 100.2 | 2022 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 71,001 | 2023 | ▼ 12.2% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 65 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 80.9 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 14.7% | 2023 | ▲ 12.2% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 40.5% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 87,173 | 2023 | ▼ 32.5% | WB |
▶Technology8 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 57.6% | 2023 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 128 | 2023 | ▲ 5.7% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 2.8 | 2023 | ▲ 26.5% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 116.7 | 2024 | ▼ 16.5% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 43 | 2022 | ▲ 8.7% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $3.6M | 2023 | ▼ 10.3% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 2.6% | 2024 | ▼ 38.7% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $6.0M | 2024 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
▶Infrastructure6 indicators · 2011–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 34,663 | 2023 | ▼ 4.1% | WB |
| Air Transport, Freight (million ton-km) | 0 | 2022 | ▼ 21.9% | WB |
| Rail Lines (total km) | 300 | 2011 | — | WB |
| Railways, Goods (million ton-km) | 862 | 2011 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 0.2% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Gender8 indicators · 2016–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 21.6% | 2024 | ▲ 26.1% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 48.4% | 2023 | ▲ 2.8% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 64.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 94.9% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 68.7 | 2023 | ▼ 1.5% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 96.41 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 0.99 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 0.92 | 2019 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | -0.73 | 2023 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | -0.88 | 2023 | ▼ 13.3% | WB |
| Political Stability | -0.36 | 2023 | ▼ 69.9% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | -0.72 | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Rule of Law | -0.6 | 2023 | ▲ 7.4% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | -1.16 | 2023 | ▲ 4.6% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 25.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 19.3% | 2023 | ▼ 16.3% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 28.3% | 2023 | ▲ 9.1% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 30.8% | 2023 | ▼ 22.3% | WB |
▶Military4 indicators · 2021–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Spending (% of GDP) | 1.4% | 2024 | ▲ 4.4% | WB |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $79.7M | 2024 | ▲ 13.0% | WB |
| Military Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 4.8% | 2024 | ▲ 1.9% | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 12.5 | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2010–2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.37 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.32 | 2010 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.30 | 2010 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 4.5 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism6 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 345,300 | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Departures | 488,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $7.3M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $36.4M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 0.4% | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $300,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development5 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 2.7% | 2024 | ▲ 5.5% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 17.0% | 2022 | ▲ 57.3% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 0.4% | 2024 | ▲ 1.4% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 38.2% | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WHO |
| Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%) | 60.8% | 2024 | ▲ 1.2% | WHO |