Country profile · Sub-Saharan Africa

🇸🇿 Eswatini

Lower middle income. Capital Mbabane. Full World Bank, WHO, ILO & OECD indicator profile across 47 measures, with regional peers and rankings.

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

Eswatini on the global income map

Eswatini (SWZ) plotted alongside its largest economic peers on GDP per capita and the Human Development Index. Bubble area scales with population; color encodes income tier; gold rings mark OECD members.

Eswatini on the global income map Eswatini positioned on the GDP-per-capita / HDI plane against its largest economic peers. 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Human Development Index (0–1) India — GDP/cap $2,695 · lower-middle income IND China — GDP/cap $13,303 · upper-middle income CHN United States — GDP/cap $84,534 · high income · OECD USA Indonesia — GDP/cap $4,925 · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan — GDP/cap $1,479 · lower-middle income Nigeria — GDP/cap $1,084 · low income Brazil — GDP/cap $10,311 · upper-middle income Bangladesh — GDP/cap $2,593 · lower-middle income Russian Federation — GDP/cap $14,889 · high income Ethiopia — GDP/cap $1,134 · low income Mexico — GDP/cap $14,186 · high income · OECD Japan — GDP/cap $32,487 · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. — GDP/cap $3,338 · lower-middle income Philippines — GDP/cap $3,985 · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. — GDP/cap $649 · low income Viet Nam — GDP/cap $4,717 · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. — GDP/cap $5,190 · upper-middle income Turkiye — GDP/cap $15,893 · high income · OECD Germany — GDP/cap $56,104 · high income · OECD Thailand — GDP/cap $7,347 · upper-middle income United Kingdom — GDP/cap $53,246 · high income · OECD Tanzania — GDP/cap $1,187 · lower-middle income France — GDP/cap $46,103 · high income · OECD South Africa — GDP/cap $6,267 · upper-middle income Italy — GDP/cap $40,385 · high income · OECD Kenya — GDP/cap $2,132 · lower-middle income Myanmar — GDP/cap $1,359 · lower-middle income Colombia — GDP/cap $7,919 · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. — GDP/cap $36,239 · high income · OECD Sudan — GDP/cap $985 · low income Eswatini — GDP/cap $3,910 · lower-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member

Indicators tracked

47

Across 8 topic areas

GDP per capita

$3,910

Latest WB report

Population

1.2 million

UN estimate

OECD member

No

Outside OECD harmonized stats

Population
1.2 million
GDP
$4.9 billion
GDP per Capita
$3,910
Life Expectancy
64.1 years

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 64.1 years (ranked 192nd globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Mbabane.

👥 Demographics

Fertility Rate
2.8
2023
Population
1.2 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
33.4%
2024
Population Ages 65+
4.3%
2024
Population Density
71.5/km²
2023
Population Growth Rate
1.0%
2024
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
GNI Per Capita
$3,590
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
43.5 per 1,000
2023
Life Expectancy at Birth
64.1 years
2023
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
45.0 per 1,000
2023

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
6.0%
2024
Literacy Rate (Adult)
90.8
2022
School Enrollment (Primary)
116.5
2023
School Enrollment (Secondary)
88.3
2022
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
6.4
2013
Youth Literacy Rate
98.7
2022

🌍 Environment

Electric Power Consumption
1,137 kWh
2022
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
57.6%
2023
Mobile Subscriptions
128.4
2023

⚖️ 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

💼 Labor & Wages

Average Monthly Earnings
$378/mo
2021
Average Weekly Hours Worked
42.7 hrs/wk
2023
PPP Conversion Factor (GDP)
6.07
2024

🫀 Disease Burden

Key causes of death and disease risk in Eswatini. Source: WHO Global Health Observatory.

NCD Death Rate
811
per 100K · 2021
Premature NCD Risk
32.3%
dying 30–70 from NCD
Road Traffic Deaths
24.7
per 100K
Suicide Rate
20.2
per 100K
TB Deaths
28.00
per 100K
Maternal Mortality
118
per 100K births

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 Another Country

What the data says about Eswatini

Every figure on this profile is a single measurement drawn from an official international dataset, and each one carries assumptions worth understanding before drawing conclusions. Income and output are reported at market exchange rates in current dollars, so they move with currency swings as well as real growth, and national averages can hide wide gaps between regions and households. Health and demographic measures are period estimates compiled from vital registration, surveys, and statistical models, and their reporting year often lags the present by one to three years. Reading several indicators together, rather than fixating on a single headline number, is what turns a row of statistics into a grounded picture of how people in this country actually live, work, and age.

Eswatini sits in Sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 1.2 million, placing it 159th out of 217 countries by headcount. Its capital, Mbabane, anchors a Lower middle income economy with total GDP of $4.9 billion — ranked 170th globally — and GDP per capita of $3,910. This combination of demographic scale and economic output shapes everything from household purchasing power and domestic market depth to the country's weight in regional trade flows and international development programmes.

Life expectancy at birth in Eswatini is 64.1 years, ranking 192nd worldwide and offering a summary read on healthcare access, nutrition, sanitation, and long-run living standards. The World Bank's World Development Indicators, combined with the WHO Global Health Observatory and ILO ILOSTAT wage statistics, expose 47 data points across 8 thematic areas — from fertility and urbanisation to CO₂ emissions, school enrolment, and labour-force participation. Reading these indicators together, rather than in isolation, is what turns headline numbers into a grounded portrait of how people actually live.

Use the indicator tables below to track trajectories over time, jump to Eswatini's placement on specific rankings such as GDP, population density, or life expectancy, and open the side-by-side Compare view to benchmark against peers inside Sub-Saharan Africa or across income groups. Because all figures come from official, CC BY 4.0-licensed datasets with clear vintages, you can cite them directly in research or journalism. Where a field reads "N/A", the upstream agency has not yet released that value for Eswatini — we never fabricate estimates or carry forward stale values, so missing points stay visible rather than quietly filled in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the data for Eswatini come from?

Data for Eswatini is sourced from the World Bank Open Data catalog, WHO Global Health Observatory, and ILO ILOSTAT (for average wages and working hours). These are official, publicly available datasets.

How current is the data for Eswatini?

Data availability varies by indicator. Most recent data points range from 2020 to 2024, depending on the indicator and reporting frequency. World Bank indicators are updated annually, while WHO disease burden data follows the Global Burden of Disease study schedule.

Can I compare Eswatini with other countries?

Yes. Use the Compare feature to see a side-by-side comparison of Eswatini with any other country across all available indicators. You can also explore rankings to see where Eswatini stands globally on specific measures like GDP, population, or life expectancy.

What does GDP per capita tell us about Eswatini?

GDP per capita divides Eswatini's total economic output by its population, giving an approximate measure of average economic productivity per person. It is reported in current US dollars. For fairer cross-country comparisons, purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustments account for differences in the cost of goods and services.

How does Eswatini's life expectancy compare to the global average?

Life expectancy at birth for Eswatini is 64.1 years, ranking 192nd out of 217 countries tracked. The global average is approximately 73 years. Life expectancy reflects healthcare quality, nutrition, sanitation, and socioeconomic conditions.

Does PlainCountries cover visa or travel information for Eswatini?

PlainCountries focuses on development indicators, health data, and economic statistics. For visa requirements and immigration policies, visit PlainVisa at plainvisa.com. For international flight route data, check PlainFlights at plainflights.com.

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 provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the World Bank, WHO, ILO, and OECD. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.