Country profile · Sub-Saharan Africa · LMC

🇸🇿 Eswatini

Lower middle income. Capital Mbabane. Lower-third GDP/cap (LMC · MID) - 42 series with wider survey lag risk.

1.2 million
Population
$4.9 billion
GDP
$3,910
GDP / capita
64.3 years
Life expectancy
RSS
Sub-Saharan Africa Lower middle income Capital: Mbabane

Lower-third GDP/cap · MID

Eswatini ranks 170th of 217 by total GDP and 192nd for life expectancy - a lower middle income economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

#170
World GDP rank (of 217)
$3,910
GDP per capita
#192
Life-expectancy rank
#159
Population rank

Eswatini lands in the lower third of GDP/cap (#152 of 214) - LMC · MID - so national averages need rural/urban caution.

Eswatini vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$4,858,885,841 170th of 214 higher than 44 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

Eswatini on the global income map

Eswatini (SWZ) sits in the lower GDP/cap third - plotted with largest peers; bubble area = population.

Eswatini on the global income map Eswatini positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income Eswatini - GDP/cap $3,910 (2024) · life expectancy 64.3 years (2024) · lower-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • Eswatini: GDP per capita $3,910 (2024), life expectancy 64.3 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

Eswatini has a population of 1.2 million, making it the 159th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Its economy totals $4.9 billion - ranked 170th globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $3,910, placing it in the Lower middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 64.3 years (ranked 192nd globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Mbabane.

👥 Demographics

Population
1.2 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
33.4%
2024
Population Ages 65+
4.3%
2024
Population Density
71.5/km²
2023
Urban Population
26.2%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$75.5 million
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$4.9 billion
2024
GDP Growth Rate
3.0%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$3,909.559
2024
Government Debt (% of GDP)
35.7%
2021
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
2.6%
2019
Trade (% of GDP)
107.5%
2024
Unemployment Rate
34.6%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
7.5%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
42.2 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
64.3 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
118
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
0.6 per 1,000
2023
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
20
2021
Under-5 Mortality Rate
45.1 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
6.0%
2024
Literacy Rate (Adult)
90.8
2022
School Enrollment (Primary)
116.5
2023
School Enrollment (Secondary)
82.0
2016
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
6.4
2013
Youth Literacy Rate
98.7
2022

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
0.9
2024
Electric Power Consumption
1,200 kWh
2023
Forest Area
29.1
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
40.5
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
64.7%
2022

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Clean Water
38.2%
2024
Access to Electricity
86.4%
2023
Access to Sanitation
60.8%
2024
Internet Users
63.4%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
139.8
2024

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
48.4
2024
GINI Index
54.6
2016
Intentional Homicides
12.5
2021
Male Labor Participation
54.2
2024
Net Migration
-6,754
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
44.5%
2016

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 5 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series Eswatini does report.

Overall
F
19/100
Life expectancy F
64.3 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality F
45.1 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity F
86.4%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water F
38.2%
World Bank, 2024 (151-country benchmark)
Safety (homicide rate) F
12.5 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2021 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for Eswatini

42 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation1.2 million2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1433.4%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+4.3%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density71.5/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population26.2%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$75.5 million2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$4.9 billion2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate3.0%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$3,909.5592024
EconomyGovernment Debt (% of GDP)35.7%2021
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)2.6%2019
EconomyTrade (% of GDP)107.5%2024
EconomyUnemployment Rate34.6%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)7.5%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate42.2 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth64.3 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio1182023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)0.6 per 1,0002023
HealthStunting Prevalence (under 5)202021
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate45.1 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)6.0%2024
EducationLiteracy Rate (Adult)90.82022
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)116.52023
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)82.02016
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)6.42013
EducationYouth Literacy Rate98.72022
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita0.92024
EnvironmentElectric Power Consumption1,200 kWh2023
EnvironmentForest Area29.12023
EnvironmentFreshwater Withdrawal40.52022
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption64.7%2022
InfrastructureAccess to Clean Water38.2%2024
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity86.4%2023
InfrastructureAccess to Sanitation60.8%2024
InfrastructureInternet Users63.4%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions139.82024
SocialFemale Labor Participation48.42024
SocialGINI Index54.62016
SocialIntentional Homicides12.52021
SocialMale Labor Participation54.22024
SocialNet Migration-6,7542024
SocialPoverty (< $2.15/day)44.5%2016

🫀 Disease Burden

Tuberculosis deaths at 28.0 per 100,000 sit well above the fleet midpoint (4.1) on Eswatini; the cause list below is truncated to the steepest rates instead of repeating the full WHO menu. Summary metrics use 2021 data; cause-specific cards show their own observation year.

NCD Death Rate
811
per 100K · 2021
TB Deaths
28.00
per 100K · 2021
Maternal Mortality
118
per 100K births · 2021

Communicable & Maternal

Injuries & External Causes

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Eswatini with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about Eswatini

Eswatini is a lower-middle-income economy, a tier where a large share of economic activity often sits outside formally measured, monetized markets, so official statistics can understate real living standards more than the headline dollar figures suggest. With a comparatively small population, a single survey round or a change in methodology can shift Eswatini's reported figures noticeably from one release to the next, independent of any real change on the ground. Where a field on this page reads "N/A," it usually means the relevant agency has not yet published a recent estimate for Eswatini.

Eswatini lands in the lower third of GDP/cap (#152 of 214) - LMC · MID - so national averages need rural/urban caution.

Eswatini's 1.2 million people and $4.9 billion GDP (170th) yield $3,910 per person in the lower GDP/cap third. Life expectancy 64.3 years (192nd, MID) and survey lag both matter when reading single-year cells. 42 official points sit in the tables.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: Vanuatu at $3,960 (Δ $50). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with Eswatini's numbers

Eswatini is classified LMC with MID. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare Eswatini directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where Eswatini ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. See our full disclaimer and editorial policy.