About the Kingdom of Eswatini
The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a small landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Covering an area of approximately 17,363 square kilometres, the country has a population of around 1.26 million people (2026). Eswatini is divided into four administrative regions: Shiselweni in the south, Lubombo in the east, Hhohho in the north, and Manzini in the centre.
Eswatini has a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $3,610 (World Bank, 2023) and is designated as a lower-middle-income country. The population is predominantly rural, with only one-third of the population being urbanised. Poverty levels are high, with the IMF estimating 59 percent of the population living below the national poverty line and 29 percent living in extreme poverty. Eswatini has a young population, with a median age of 24.4 years and a literacy rate of 89.2 percent.
Education in Eswatini
Missions pioneered the development of formal education in Swaziland. The government has also built several schools. To satisfy the demand for education, community schools have proliferated.
All three types teach the national curriculum and are provided with teachers by the Ministry of Education, but mission and community schools receive little support for the development and maintenance of buildings.
Since 2010, primary education has been free, but extra costs, such as uniforms, still constitute a barrier for the poorest. All high schools charge admission fees to students.
Food Supply in Eswatini
Cereal production in Eswatini typically meets less than half of national requirements, with the remaining demand covered through commercial imports. This shortfall has significant consequences for low-income households, who spend an estimated 32% of their income on maize, the country’s primary staple food.
Health and Nutrition in Eswatini
Life expectancy in Swaziland is now between 58 and 64 years, up from a low of 44 years during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The under-five mortality rate is estimated at 45 (per 1,000 live births).
As of 2019, Eswatini has the highest prevalence of HIV among people aged 15 to 49 in the world (27.1%). The availability of antiretroviral drugs has transformed the quality of life and life expectancy of people living with AIDS.
Eswatini scores 15.7 in global hunger index 2024, with 74th rank. Stunting, which is a sign of chronic malnutrition, is a serious problem, with 25 per cent of children under the age of five being short for their age.
