Eswatini

Broadcast media

state-owned TV station; satellite dishes are able to access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2007)

Internet country code

.sz

Internet hosts

2,744 (2012) country comparison to the world: 158

Internet users

90,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Telephone system

general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system domestic: single source for mobile-cellular service with a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscribership base; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity roughly 60 telephones per 100 persons in 2011; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

48,600 (2012) country comparison to the world: 164

Telephones - mobile cellular

805,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 160

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep

Budget

revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.316 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.1% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 8.75% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.5 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $53 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$609.5 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $604.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 18

Economy - overview

Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland depends heavily on South Africa from which it receives more than 90% of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is heavily dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and worker remittances from South Africa supplement domestically earned income. Subsistence agriculture employs approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp were major foreign exchange earners; however, the wood pulp producer closed in January 2010, and sugar is now the main export earner. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Customs revenues plummeted due to the global economic crisis and a drop in South African imports. The resulting decline in revenue has pushed the country into a fiscal crisis. Swaziland is looking to other countries, including South Africa, for assistance, but continues to struggle to meet its monthly payroll and fund government programs. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and attract foreign direct investment is acute. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and more than one-quarter of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS, as of 2013.

Exchange rates

emalangeni per US dollar - 9.575 (2013 est.) 8.2031 (2012 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008)

Exports

$1.603 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.681 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.807 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.259 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $6.259 billion (2012 est.) $6.354 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 86.2% government consumption: 21.5% investment in fixed capital: 10.1% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 57.4% imports of goods and services: -75.3% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 7.6% industry: 47.8% services: 44.6% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,700 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $5,800 (2012 est.) $6,000 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 -1.5% (2012 est.) 0.3% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving

10.1% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 13.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.)

Imports

$1.545 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $1.578 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate

0.4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Industries

coal, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textiles and apparel

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 8.9% (2012 est.)

Labor force

424,100 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 70% industry: NA% services: NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$203.1 million (31 December 2007) country comparison to the world: 105 $203.1 million (31 December 2007) $199.9 million

Population below poverty line

69% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$801.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $741 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.142 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $1.138 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$763.3 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $762.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$421.6 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $403.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.5% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Unemployment rate

40% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.024 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity - consumption

1.058 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012) country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity - from fossil fuels

59.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

40.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - imports

564 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - installed generating capacity

149,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - production

496 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 210

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,567 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,761 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

Area

total: 17,364 sq km country comparison to the world: 159 land: 17,204 sq km water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate

varies from tropical to near temperate

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Environment - current issues

limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.04 cu km/yr (4%/2%/94%) per capita: 962.1 cu m/yr (2005)

Geographic coordinates

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Irrigated land

498.5 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

Land use

arable land: 10.08% permanent crops: 0.86% other: 89.06% (2011)

Location

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

drought

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Total renewable water resources

4.51 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Capital

name: Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital geographic coordinates: 26 19 S, 31 08 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006 (2013)

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland local long form: Umbuso weSwatini local short form: eSwatini

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Makila JAMES (since 27 August 2012) embassy: 7th Floor, Central Bank Building, Mahlokohla St., Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-6441 FAX: [268] 404-5959

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Abednigo Mandla NTSHANGASE (since 19 July 2010) chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002 FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254

Executive branch

chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 23 October 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso MASUKU (since 2008) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly

Flag description

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence

Government type

monarchy

Independence

6 September 1968 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters note - the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS head; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional law (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members elected by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held on 20 September 2013 (next scheduled for September 2018) election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round

National anthem

name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

National symbol(s)

lion; elephant

Political parties and leaders

the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the 2006 Constitution and currently being debated; the following are considered political associations African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president] Imbokodvo National Movement or INM {headed by the Royal Family] Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president] People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Swaziland Democracy Campaign Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions Swaziland Solidarity Network or SSN

Suffrage

18 years of age

Background

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, Africa's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 344,038 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 201,853 females age 16-49: 175,477 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 16,168 female: 15,763 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing (no operational aircraft)) (2013)

Military expenditures

3.17% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 17 3.11% of GDP (2011) 3.17% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 36.5% (male 261,715/female 255,949) 15-24 years: 22.3% (male 160,283/female 156,685) 25-54 years: 33.2% (male 241,958/female 229,140) 55-64 years: 4.2% (male 23,739/female 36,469) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 21,321/female 32,364) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

25.18 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 28,043 percentage: 9 % (2000 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.8% (2010) country comparison to the world: 84

Contraceptive prevalence rate

65.2% (2010)

Death rate

13.75 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 69.7 % youth dependency ratio: 63.7 % elderly dependency ratio: 6 % potential support ratio: 16.7 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 93.6% of population rural: 68.9% of population total: 74.1% of population unimproved: urban: 6.4% of population rural: 31.1% of population total: 25.9% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditures

8.3% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 12

Ethnic groups

African 97%, European 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

26.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,500 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

212,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Health expenditures

8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 63

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 54.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 32 male: 58.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 50.54 years country comparison to the world: 219 male: 51.04 years female: 50.04 years (2014 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.8% male: 88.4% female: 87.3% (2011 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

MBABANE (capital) 66,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

320 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 36

Median age

total: 21 years male: 20.7 years female: 21.3 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.5 note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2006-07 est.)

Nationality

noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 98

Physicians density

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

1,419,623 country comparison to the world: 155 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.14% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Religions

Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Baha'i, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 63.1% of population rural: 56% of population total: 57.5% of population unimproved: urban: 36.9% of population rural: 44% of population total: 42.5% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.88 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Urbanization

urban population: 21.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.19% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

in 2006, Swazi king advocated resorting to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa

Airports

14 (2013) country comparison to the world: 149

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 7 (2013)

Railways

total: 301 km country comparison to the world: 120 narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 3,594 km country comparison to the world: 160 paved: 1,078 km unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)