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Last update: January, 20 2021

Eswatini (Swaziland)

flag of Eswatini (Swaziland)
Government
NameKingdom of Eswatini
SwaziUmbuso weSwatini  
Government typeabsolute monarchy
Executive capital Mbabane (76,218 (2005))
Legislative and royal capitalLobamba (4,557 (2005))
CurrencySwazi lilangeni (SZL)
South African rand (ZAR)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)1,160,164 (155th)
Density of population68.2 P/km2 (135th)
NationalitySwati / Swazi
Official languages
English
siSwati
Ethnic groups
predominantly Swazi
small populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, and people of European ancestry
Religions (2015)
Christian90%
Zionist – a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship40%
Roman Catholic20%
other30%
Muslim2%
other8%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male56.5 years
Female60.7 years
Total population58.6 years (220th)
Homicides
Total (2017)11.6 per 100,000 people (28th)
Geography
Land area17,204 km2
water area160 km2
total area17,364 km2 (159th)
Mean elevation305 m
Lowest point
Great Usutu River21 m
Highest point
Emlembe1,862 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land68.3%
Arable land9.8%
Permanent crops0.8%
Permanent pasture57.7%
Forest31.7%
Other0%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)24.2%
Rate of urbanization2.46% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2016)427,900  (157th)
Labor force by occupation (2014)
Agriculture10.7%
Industry30.4%
Services 58.9%
Unemployment rate (2014)28% (203rd)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$12.293 billion
Per capita$11,089
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$4.662 billion
Per capita$4,146
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture6.5%
Industry45%
Services48.6%
Exports (2017)$1.83 billion (145th)
Exports partners (2017)
South Africa94%
Imports (2017)$1.451 billion (175th)
Imports partners (2017)
South Africa81.6%
China5.2%

Eswatini (Swaziland) on the world map

Eswatini (Swaziland) on the world map

Eswatini (Swaziland) top 10 largest cities (2005)

  1. Manzini (110,537)
  2. Mbabane (76,218)
  3. Big Bend (10,342)
  4. Malkerns (9,724)
  5. Nhlangano (9,016)
  6. Mhlume (8,652)
  7. Hluti (6,763)
  8. Simunye (6,512)
  9. Siteki (6,152)
  10. Piggs Peak (5,750)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Eswatini (Swaziland) (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 33.63% (male 185,640/female 185,808)
  • 15-24 years: 18.71% (male 98,029/female 108,654)
  • 25-54 years: 39.46% (male 202,536/female 233,275)
  • 55-64 years: 4.36% (male 20,529/female 27,672)
  • 65 years and over: 3.83% (male 15,833/female 26,503)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

sugarcane, corn, cotton, citrus, pineapples, cattle, goats

Industries:

soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel

Exports – commodities:

soft drink concentrates, sugar, timber, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus, and canned fruit

Imports – commodities:

motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Time zone and current time in Eswatini (Swaziland)

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Eswatini (Swaziland)

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