Eswatini

Location

• Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
• landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Population

Notable Population Centers

City	Population	Note
Manzini	110,537
Mbabane	76,218	Capital
Lobamba	4,557

Size

• 6,704 square miles
• 17,363 square kilometers
• slightly smaller than New Jersey

History

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. 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.

Climate

varies from tropical to near temperate

Terrain

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Languages

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

Religions

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.)

Government

absolute monarchy

• Constitution: history: previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006amendment process: 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 of 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 of the king; passage of "entrenched" provisions requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses, passage in a referendum, and assent of the king
• Political Parties and Leaders: n/a
• Suffrage: 18 years of age
• Legal System: mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
• Executive Branch: chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)head of government: Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister, confirmed by the monarch; at least one-half of the cabinet membership must be appointed from among elected members of the House of Assemblyelection/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly
• Judicial Branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice ex officio and 4 justices)judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
• Legislative Branch: legislature name: Parliament (Libandla)legislative structure: bicameral

Demographic Profile

n/a

Economy

• 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
• Budget: revenues: $1.217 billion (2021 est.)expenditures: $1.439 billion (2021 est.)note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
• Credit Rating: n/a
• Natural Resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
• Industries: soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel
• Agricultural Products: sugarcane, maize, root vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, milk, pineapples, bananas, beef, sweet potatoes (2023)note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
• Land Use: agricultural land: 69.5% (2022 est.)arable land: 10.3% (2022 est.)permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)permanent pasture: 58.1% (2022 est.)forest: 29.1% (2022 est.)other: 1.5% (2022 est.)
• Labor Force by Occupation: n/a
• Imports
• Imported Commodities: refined petroleum, electricity, plastic products, cotton fabric, garments (2023)note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
• Import Partners: South Africa 71%, China 8%, India 4%, USA 2%, Mozambique 1% (2023)note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
• Exports
• Exported Commodities: scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, garments, wood (2023)note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
• Export Partners: South Africa 61%, Ireland 4%, Mozambique 4%, Kenya 4%, Nigeria 3% (2023)note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports