Eswatini

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day

  9/6

  Independence Day

Dates of Interest

• April 25th

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 1894

   Britain and the Boer Republic of Transvaal jointly rule Swaziland.

   Britain and the Boer Republic of Transvaal jointly rule Swaziland.

2. 1903

   Swaziland becomes a British protectorate.

   Swaziland becomes a British protectorate.

3. 1907

   Swaziland becomes a British High Commission territory.

   Swaziland becomes a British High Commission territory.

4. 1968

   Swaziland is granted formal independence.

   Swaziland is granted formal independence, within the Commonwealth, and adopts a new constitution. Authority is vested in the new parliament, a proportion of the members are nominated by the monarch.

5. 1977

   The parliamentary system is abolished and replaced by traditional tribal communities.

   The parliamentary system is abolished and replaced by traditional tribal communities.

6. 1988

   A motion calling for a review of the legislative structure is rejected by the prime minister.

   A motion calling for a review of the legislative structure is rejected by the prime minister, despite majority support in the senate.

7. 1996

   Constitutional Review Commission to draft proposals for a new constitution.

   King Mswati announces a Constitutional Review Commission to draft proposals for a new constitution.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• SiSwati
• English

Population

Population

1,192,271

Population in Major Urban Areas

MBABANE (capital) 66,000

Nationality Noun

Swazi(s)

Ethnic Groups

African 97%, European 3%

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Eswatini has undergone a dramatic and historically significant transformation over the past three decades, reflecting both the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the country's subsequent public health recovery efforts. At its lowest point in the mid-2000s, life expectancy in Eswatini fell to approximately 45 years, making it one of the lowest figures recorded for any country in the world at that time. This collapse was driven primarily by one of the highest HIV prevalence rates ever documented globally. At the peak of the crisis, more than a quarter of the adult population was living with HIV, and AIDS-related deaths dramatically shortened average lifespans across the population. Since then, the country has made remarkable progress. Expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, increased testing programs, and significant investment in public health infrastructure have helped reverse the downward trend. By the mid-2020s, life expectancy at birth had recovered to approximately 60 to 61 years overall, with figures slightly lower for males and somewhat higher for females. While this remains below the sub-Saharan African regional average and well below the global average of approximately 73 years, the upward trajectory represents one of the more notable public health recoveries in modern African history. Noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness are increasingly contributing to mortality as the HIV crisis becomes more manageable. Maternal and child health indicators also play a role in shaping overall life expectancy figures, with infant and under-five mortality rates remaining elevated compared to higher-income nations. Eswatini continues to face challenges including limited healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, food insecurity, and socioeconomic inequality, all of which influence health outcomes. The government, in partnership with international health organizations, continues to implement strategies aimed at extending healthy lifespans and further reducing preventable mortality across the kingdom.

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk

Intermediate

Infant Mortality Rate

Eswatini faces significant challenges related to infant mortality, though the country has made measurable progress in reducing child deaths over recent decades. The infant mortality rate in Eswatini stands at approximately 43 to 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it among the higher-rate nations in sub-Saharan Africa, though this figure represents a notable improvement from rates exceeding 80 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 2000s. Several interconnected factors drive infant mortality in Eswatini. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has historically been a primary contributor, with mother-to-child transmission of HIV exposing newborns to elevated health risks from birth. Eswatini has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, and while prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs have expanded considerably, the virus continues to affect neonatal and infant health outcomes. Leading causes of infant death in Eswatini include neonatal complications such as preterm birth and birth asphyxia, as well as pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition. Access to skilled birth attendants and quality antenatal care remains unevenly distributed, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where healthcare infrastructure is limited. Many communities in Eswatini are located far from hospitals or health clinics, delaying emergency care for newborns and mothers during and after delivery. The government of Eswatini, in partnership with international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has pursued vaccination expansion programs, oral rehydration therapy campaigns, and improvements to maternal health services. Immunization coverage for diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and polio has increased, contributing to the overall decline in infant deaths. Poverty and food insecurity also play a contributing role. Malnutrition weakens immune systems in young infants and amplifies the severity of otherwise treatable illnesses. Addressing infant mortality in Eswatini requires sustained investment in healthcare access, maternal nutrition, clean water and sanitation infrastructure, and continued efforts to reduce HIV transmission between mothers and their children.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Eswatini has undergone a dramatic and historically significant transformation over the past three decades, reflecting both the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the country's subsequent public health recovery efforts. At its lowest point in the mid-2000s, life expectancy in Eswatini fell to approximately 45 years, making it one of the lowest figures recorded for any country in the world at that time. This collapse was driven primarily by one of the highest HIV prevalence rates ever documented globally. At the peak of the crisis, more than a quarter of the adult population was living with HIV, and AIDS-related deaths dramatically shortened average lifespans across the population. Since then, the country has made remarkable progress. Expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, increased testing programs, and significant investment in public health infrastructure have helped reverse the downward trend. By the mid-2020s, life expectancy at birth had recovered to approximately 60 to 61 years overall, with figures slightly lower for males and somewhat higher for females. While this remains below the sub-Saharan African regional average and well below the global average of approximately 73 years, the upward trajectory represents one of the more notable public health recoveries in modern African history. Noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness are increasingly contributing to mortality as the HIV crisis becomes more manageable. Maternal and child health indicators also play a role in shaping overall life expectancy figures, with infant and under-five mortality rates remaining elevated compared to higher-income nations. Eswatini continues to face challenges including limited healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, food insecurity, and socioeconomic inequality, all of which influence health outcomes. The government, in partnership with international health organizations, continues to implement strategies aimed at extending healthy lifespans and further reducing preventable mortality across the kingdom.

Infant Mortality Rate

Eswatini faces significant challenges related to infant mortality, though the country has made measurable progress in reducing child deaths over recent decades. The infant mortality rate in Eswatini stands at approximately 43 to 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it among the higher-rate nations in sub-Saharan Africa, though this figure represents a notable improvement from rates exceeding 80 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 2000s. Several interconnected factors drive infant mortality in Eswatini. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has historically been a primary contributor, with mother-to-child transmission of HIV exposing newborns to elevated health risks from birth. Eswatini has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, and while prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs have expanded considerably, the virus continues to affect neonatal and infant health outcomes. Leading causes of infant death in Eswatini include neonatal complications such as preterm birth and birth asphyxia, as well as pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition. Access to skilled birth attendants and quality antenatal care remains unevenly distributed, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where healthcare infrastructure is limited. Many communities in Eswatini are located far from hospitals or health clinics, delaying emergency care for newborns and mothers during and after delivery. The government of Eswatini, in partnership with international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has pursued vaccination expansion programs, oral rehydration therapy campaigns, and improvements to maternal health services. Immunization coverage for diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and polio has increased, contributing to the overall decline in infant deaths. Poverty and food insecurity also play a contributing role. Malnutrition weakens immune systems in young infants and amplifies the severity of otherwise treatable illnesses. Addressing infant mortality in Eswatini requires sustained investment in healthcare access, maternal nutrition, clean water and sanitation infrastructure, and continued efforts to reduce HIV transmission between mothers and their children.

Country Identity

Country Name

Eswatini

Full Country Name

Kingdom of Swaziland

Government Structure

Government Type

monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth

Legal System

based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch

chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Russell Mmiso DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the prime minister is appointed by the monarch

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (30 seats — 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (70 seats — 10 appointed by the monarch and 59 elected by popular vote, with 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve five-year terms). Elections: House of Assembly — last held on 29 September 2023 (next to be held in 2028). Election results: House of Assembly — balloting is conducted on a nonparty basis, as political parties remain banned under Eswatini's system of government. Candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency, and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round. The monarch retains significant authority, including the power to appoint cabinet ministers and dissolve Parliament.

Judicial Branch

High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch

Suffrage

18 years of age

Constitution

none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was not formally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines for a constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), but so far none have been accepted

Independence

6 September 1968 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

Capital City

Capital Name

Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)

Capital - geographic coordinate

26 19 S, 31 08 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Military

Branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing (no operational aircraft))

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

SZL

GDP — official exchange rate

$2,117,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

1.4%