Eswatini (Swaziland) - Economic Indicators

Economic Overview

A small, landlocked kingdom, Eswatini is bordered in the north, west and south by the Republic of South Africa and by Mozambique in the east. Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing Eswatini's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for almost half of its revenue. Eswatini is a lower middle income country. As of 2017, more than one-quarter of the adult population was infected...

Continue reading View Factbook for Eswatini (Swaziland)

GDP Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Nominal Gross Domestic Product 2022 82,267,603,494 72,887,805,726 SZL Annual
Investment 2021 9,868,474,609 8,043,611,328 SZL Annual
Private Consumption 2020 43,030,000,000 41,490,000,000 SZL Annual
Price Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Sep 2020 174.42 173.79 2010=100, NSA Monthly
Trade Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Imports of Goods 2022 Q4 475,391,160 486,231,631 USD, NSA Quarterly
Exports of Goods 2022 Q4 525,459,912 540,122,660 USD, NSA Quarterly
Balance of Goods 2022 Q4 50,068,752 53,891,029 USD, NSA Quarterly
Current Account Balance 2022 Q4 15,524,183 17,701,408 USD, NSA Quarterly
Exports of Goods and Services 2021 31,592,695,312 29,460,000,000 SZL Annual
Imports of Goods and Services 2021 32,196,707,031 27,678,000,000 SZL Annual
Markets Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Money Market Rate Dec 2023 4.63 4.63 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Treasury Bills (over 31 days) Dec 2023 9.28 9.28 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Business Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Capacity Utilization 2016 59.9 % Annual
Demographics Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Population 2020 1,160,164 1,148,133 # Annual

Factbook

Background

Background:
Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but the legal status of political parties was not defined and their status remains unclear. Eswatini has surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 17,364 sq km
land: 17,204 sq km
water: 160 sq km
country comparison to the world: 159
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 546 km
border countries (2): Mozambique 108 km, South Africa 438 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation:
mean elevation: 305 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources:
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:
agricultural land: 68.3%
arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 57.7%
forest: 31.7%
other: 0% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
500 sq km (2012)
Population - distribution:
because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains
Natural hazards:
drought
Environment - current issues:
limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

People & Society

Population:
1,467,152
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Nationality:
noun: Swazi(s)
adjective: Swazi
Ethnic groups:
African 97%, European 3%
Languages:
English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)
Religions:
Christian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship - 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, other 30% - includes Anglican, Methodist, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness), Muslim 2%, other 8% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous religionist, Jewish) (2015 est.)
Demographic profile:
Eswatini, a small, predominantly rural, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, suffers from severe poverty and the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A weak and deteriorating economy, high unemployment, rapid population growth, and an uneven distribution of resources all combine to worsen already persistent poverty and food insecurity, especially in rural areas. Erratic weather (frequent droughts and intermittent heavy rains and flooding), overuse of small plots, the overgrazing of cattle, and outdated agricultural practices reduce crop yields and further degrade the environment, exacerbating Eswatini's poverty and subsistence problems. Eswatini's extremely high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate – more than 28% of adults have the disease – compounds these issues. Agricultural production has declined due to HIV/AIDS, as the illness causes households to lose manpower and to sell livestock and other assets to pay for medicine and funerals.
Swazis, mainly men from the country’s rural south, have been migrating to South Africa to work in coal, and later gold, mines since the late 19th century. Although the number of miners abroad has never been high in absolute terms because of Eswatini's small population, the outflow has had important social and economic repercussions. The peak of mining employment in South Africa occurred during the 1980s. Cross-border movement has accelerated since the 1990s, as increasing unemployment has pushed more Swazis to look for work in South Africa (creating a “brain drain” in the health and educational sectors); southern Swazi men have continued to pursue mining, although the industry has downsized. Women now make up an increasing share of migrants and dominate cross-border trading in handicrafts, using the proceeds to purchase goods back in Swaziland. Much of today’s migration, however, is not work-related but focuses on visits to family and friends, tourism, and shopping.
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.01% (male 259,646/female 253,976)
15-24 years: 22.12% (male 164,117/female 160,478)
25-54 years: 34.6% (male 264,262/female 243,362)
55-64 years: 4.3% (male 25,319/female 37,763)
65 years and over: 3.97% (male 22,113/female 36,116) (2017 est.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio: 68.8
youth dependency ratio: 63.5
elderly dependency ratio: 5.2
potential support ratio: 19.1 (2015 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.7 years
male: 21.5 years
female: 21.9 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Population growth rate:
1.08% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Birth rate:
24 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Death rate:
13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Population distribution:
because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains
Urbanization:
urban population: 21.3% of total population (2017)
rate of urbanization: 1.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
MBABANE (capital) 66,000 (2014)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.66 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
19.5 years
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2006/07 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio:
389 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Infant mortality rate:
total: 48.4 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 52.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 44.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.1 years
male: 52.7 years
female: 51.5 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
Total fertility rate:
2.69 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
66.1% (2014)
Health expenditures:
9.3% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 34
Physicians density:
0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
2.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 93.6% of population
rural: 68.9% of population
total: 74.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 6.4% of population
rural: 31.1% of population
total: 25.9% of population (2015 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 63.1% of population
rural: 56% of population
total: 57.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 36.9% of population
rural: 44% of population
total: 42.5% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
27.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
220,000 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,900 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
16.5% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 124
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
5.8% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 84
Education expenditures:
7.1% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 12
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.5%
male: 87.4%
female: 87.5% (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2013)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Eswatini
conventional short form: Eswatini
local long form: Umbuso weSwatini
local short form: eSwatini
etymology: "Land of the Swazi" people; the name "Swazi" derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swazi territory was expanded and unified
Government type:
absolute monarchy
Capital:
name: Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
geographic coordinates: 26 19 S, 31 08 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence:
6 September 1968 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)
Constitution:
history: previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006
amendments: proposed at a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both houses and/or majority vote in a referendum, and assent by the king; passage of amendments affecting “specially entrenched” constitutional provisions requires at least three-fourths majority vote by both houses, passage by simple majority vote in a referendum, and assent by the king; passage of “entrenched" provisions requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses, passage in a referendum, and assent by the king (2017)
Legal system:
mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship:
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Eswatini
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage:
18 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 23 October 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Paul DLAMINI (since 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister, confirmed by the monarch
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among elected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch:
description: bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 20 members appointed by the monarch and 10 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the House of Assembly; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 55 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed and 10 members appointed by the monarch; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly - last held on 24 August 2013 with a runoff on 20 September 2013 (next scheduled for September 2018)
election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 55
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 12 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JSC, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JSC head; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
Political parties and leaders:
the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the 2006 Constitution; the following are considered political associations:
African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Sibusiso DLAMINI]
Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Dr. Alvit DLAMINI]
People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU]
Swaziland Democratic Party or SWADEPA [Jan SITHOLE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Swaziland United Democratic Front or SUDF
Trade Union Congress of Swaziland or TUCOSWA
Swaziland Solidarity Network or SSN
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Njabuliso Busisiwe Sikhulile GWEBU (since 24 April 2017)
chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002
FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa J. PETERSON (since February 2016)
embassy: corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini
mailing address: P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106
telephone: [268] 2417-9000
FAX: [268] 2416-3344
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence
National symbol(s):
lion, elephant; national colors: blue, yellow, red
National anthem:
name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)
lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles

Economy

Economy - overview:
A small, landlocked kingdom, Eswatini is bordered in the north, west and south by the Republic of South Africa and by Mozambique in the east. Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing Eswatini's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for almost half of its revenue. Eswatini is a lower middle income country. As of 2017, more than one-quarter of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS; Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV prevalence rate.
The manufacturing sector diversified in the 1980s and 1990s, but manufacturing has grown little in the last decade. Sugar and soft drink concentrate are the largest foreign exchange earners, although a drought in 2015-16 decreased sugar production and exports. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods are persistent problems. Mining has declined in importance in recent years. Coal, gold, diamond, and quarry stone mines are small scale, and the only iron ore mine closed in 2014.
With an estimated 28% unemployment rate, Eswatini's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and to attract foreign direct investment is acute. On 1 January 2015, Eswatini lost its eligibility for benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act, after failing to meet benchmarks relating to workers’ rights.
Eswatini’s national development strategy, which expires in 2022, prioritizes increases in infrastructure, agriculture production, and economic diversification, while aiming to reduce poverty and government spending. Eswatini’s revenue from SACU receipts are likely to continue to decline as South Africa pushes for a new distribution scheme, making it harder for the government to maintain fiscal balance without introducing new sources of revenue.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.34 billion (2017 est.)
$11.31 billion (2016 est.)
$11.31 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 158
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.03 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.3% (2017 est.)
0% (2016 est.)
1.1% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,900 (2017 est.)
$10,000 (2016 est.)
$10,100 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 139
Gross national saving:
11.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
12.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
23% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption: 65.7%
government consumption: 14.5%
investment in fixed capital: 14.5%
investment in inventories: -0.1%
exports of goods and services: 34.9%
imports of goods and services: -29.7% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 6.5%
industry: 45%
services: 48.6% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, corn, cotton, citrus, pineapples, cattle, goats
Industries:
soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel
Industrial production growth rate:
1.1% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Labor force:
427,900 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10.7%
industry: 30.4%
services: 58.9% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate:
28% (2014 est.)
28% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Population below poverty line:
63% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.4 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Budget:
revenues: $1.15 billion
expenditures: $1.475 billion (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
28.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-8.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Public debt:
27.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
18.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (2017 est.)
8% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Central bank discount rate:
7.25% (31 December 2016 est.)
6.5% (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.7% (31 December 2017 est.)
10.3% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Stock of narrow money:
$290.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$316.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Stock of broad money:
$973.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.015 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Stock of domestic credit:
$983.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$890.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
$203.1 million (31 December 2007 est.)
$199.9 million (31 December 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
$-44 million (2017 est.)
$26 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Exports:
$1.631 billion (2017 est.)
$1.577 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Exports - commodities:
soft drink concentrates, sugar, timber, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus, and canned fruit
Exports - partners:
South Africa 87.1%, Namibia 4% (2016)
Imports:
$1.467 billion (2017 est.)
$1.405 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Imports - commodities:
motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:
South Africa 60.3%, China 5.3%, Mozambique 5.1% (2016)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$576.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$564.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Debt - external:
$548.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$468.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
emalangeni per US dollar -
14.44 (2017 est.)
14.69 (2016 est.)
14.69 (2015 est.)
12.76 (2014 est.)
10.85 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:
population without electricity: 900,000
electrification - total population: 27%
electrification - urban areas: 40%
electrification - rural areas: 24% (2013)
Electricity - production:
431 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - consumption:
1.481 billion kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Electricity - imports:
1.08 billion kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
281,000 kW (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
35.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
21.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
43.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Refined petroleum products - imports:
5,029 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
600,000 Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions: 42,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total: 995,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Telephone system:
general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system
domestic: Eswatini recently awarded a second mobile-cellular service; communication infrastructure has a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscriber base; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay
international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2017)
Broadcast media:
1 state-owned TV station; satellite dishes are able to access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2017)
Internet country code:
.sz
Internet users:
total: 414,724
percent of population: 28.6% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154

Transportation

National air transport system:
number of registered air carriers: 1
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 89,791
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
3D (2016)
Airports:
14 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 149
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 7 (2013)
Railways:
total: 301 km
narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 123
Roadways:
total: 3,594 km
paved: 1,078 km
unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)
country comparison to the world: 160

Military & Security

Military expenditures:
1.81% of GDP (2016)
1.78% of GDP (2015)
1.81% of GDP (2014)
1.88% of GDP (2013)
1.89% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 58
Military branches:
Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing (no operational aircraft)) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted (2012)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
in 2006, Swazi king advocated resorting to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa

Economic Indicators for Eswatini (Swaziland) including actual values, historical data, and latest data updates for the Eswatini (Swaziland) economy.