Eswatini

A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to reflect the name most commonly used by its citizens. <br><br>In 2021, MSWATI III used security forces to suppress prodemocracy protests. A national dialogue and reconciliation process agreed to in the wake of violence has not materialized. In November 2023, King MSWATI III appointed a new prime minister following peaceful national elections.  Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty, corruption, and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections. Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan.

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Africa

slightly smaller than New Jersey

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

varies from tropical to near temperate

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

500 sq km (2012)

because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains as shown in this population distribution map

drought

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

<p>predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry</p>

English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)

Christian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and traditional African religions - 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, other Christian 30% - includes Anglican, Methodist, Church of Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witness), Muslim 2%, other 8% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous, Jewish) (2015 est.)

0.87% (2025 est.)

20.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

-3.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains as shown in this population distribution map

68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018)

118 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

2.64 children born/woman (2025 est.)

1.3 (2025 est.)

0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

16.5% (2016)

5% (2021 est.)

36.4% (2022 est.)

limited supplies of potable water; overhunting depleting wildlife; population growth, deforestation, and overgrazing lead to soil erosion and soil degradation

varies from tropical to near temperate

16.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

4.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

absolute monarchy

4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

mixed system of civil, common, and customary law

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age

political parties exist but conditions for their operations, particularly in elections, are undefined, legally unclear, or culturally restricted; the following are considered political associations:<br>African United Democratic Party or AUDP <br>Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC <br>People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO <br>Swazi Democratic Party or SWADEPA 

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

6 September 1968 (from the UK)

Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)

<strong>description:</strong> three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow, with a large black-and-white shield in the center that covers two horizontal spears and a staff with feather tassels<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> blue stands for peace and stability, red for past struggles, and yellow for the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from enemies, and the shield colors stand for ethnic groups living in peaceful coexistence

lion, elephant

blue, yellow, red

the national coat of arms was adopted in 1968 after independence from the United Kingdom; two national symbols, the lion (representing the king of Eswatini) and the elephant (representing the queen mother), support a traditional Nguni shield; above the shield is the king's <em>lidlabe</em>, or crown of feathers, and at the bottom is Eswatini's motto, <em>Siyinqaba</em>, or "We are the fortress”

landlocked southern African economy; South African trade dependent and currency pegging; CMA and SACU member state; COVID-19 economic slowdown; growing utilities inflation; persistent poverty and unemployment; HIV/AIDS labor force disruptions

$4.892 billion (2024 est.)

sugarcane, maize, root vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, milk, pineapples, bananas, beef, sweet potatoes (2023)

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

0.5% (2023 est.)

390,600 (2024 est.)

58.9% (2016 est.)

24.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

South Africa 61%, Ireland 4%, Mozambique 4%, Kenya 4%, Nigeria 3% (2023)

scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, garments, wood (2023)

South Africa 71%, China 8%, India 4%, USA 2%, Mozambique 1% (2023)

refined petroleum, electricity, plastic products, cotton fabric, garments (2023)

1 state-owned TV station; satellite dishes can access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2019)

.sz

3DC

16 (2025)

1 (2025)

Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): Army (includes a small air wing); the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) (2025)

estimated 3,000 active-duty Defense Force (2025)

the UEDF has a small inventory of mostly older light weapons and equipment originating from Europe, South Africa, Taiwan, and the US (2025)

18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)

the UEDF&rsquo;s primary mission is external defense, which includes mostly securing the borders; it also has domestic security responsibilities, including protecting members of the royal family; the king is the UEDF commander in chief and holds the position of minister of defense, although the UEDF reports to the Army commander and principal undersecretary of defense for day-to-day operations; the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is responsible for maintaining internal security as well as migration and border crossing enforcement; it is under the prime minister, although the king is the force&rsquo;s titular commissioner in chief; the UEDF was originally created in 1973 as the Royal Swaziland Defense Force (2025)