Background:
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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, the world'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 political parties remain banned. 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.
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Location:
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Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
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Geographic coordinates:
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26 30 S, 31 30 E
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total: 17,364 sq km
country comparison to the world: 158
land:
17,204 sq km
water:
160 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than New Jersey
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Land boundaries:
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total: 535 km
border countries:
Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked)
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked)
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Climate:
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Current Weather
varies from tropical to near temperate
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point:
Emlembe 1,862 m
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Natural resources:
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asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
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Land use:
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arable land: 10.25%
permanent crops:
0.81%
other:
88.94% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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500 sq km (2003)
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Total renewable water resources:
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4.5 cu km (1987)
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Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
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total: 1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%)
per capita:
1,010 cu m/yr (2000)
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Natural hazards:
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drought
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Environment - current issues:
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limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
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Environment - international agreements:
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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
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
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Population:
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1,354,051
country comparison to the world: 152
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 2010 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 38.2% (male 261,462/female 255,460)
15-64 years:
58.3% (male 391,411/female 397,609)
65 years and over:
3.6% (male 20,176/female 27,933) (2010 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 20.1 years
male:
19.7 years
female:
20.5 years (2010 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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1.213% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
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Birth rate:
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27.12 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
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Death rate:
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14.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
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Net migration rate:
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NA
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Urbanization:
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urban population: 25% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization:
1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.72 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 66.71 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 24
male:
70.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
62.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 47.97 years
country comparison to the world: 218
male:
48.14 years
female:
47.8 years (2010 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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3.19 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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26.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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190,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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10,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
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Major infectious diseases:
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degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:
malaria
water contact disease:
schistosomiasis (2009)
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Nationality:
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noun: Swazi(s)
adjective:
Swazi
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Ethnic groups:
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African 97%, European 3%
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Religions:
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Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
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Languages:
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English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
81.6%
male:
82.6%
female:
80.8% (2003 est.)
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School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
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total: 10 years
male:
10 years
female:
10 years (2005)
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Education expenditures:
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7% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 23
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form:
Swaziland
local long form:
Umbuso weSwatini
local short form:
eSwatini
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Government type:
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monarchy
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Capital:
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name: Mbabane
geographic coordinates:
26 18 S, 31 06 E
time difference:
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note:
Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
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Administrative divisions:
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4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
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Independence:
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6 September 1968 (from the UK)
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
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Constitution:
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signed by the King in July 2005; went into effect on 8 February 2006
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Legal system:
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based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government:
Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008)
cabinet:
Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website  )
elections:
the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed 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 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
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
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Judicial branch:
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High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
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Political parties and leaders:
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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; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN
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International organization participation:
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ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Nonhlanhla Octavia DLAMINI
chancery:
1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 234-5002
FAX:
[1] (202) 234-8254
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Earl M. IRVING
embassy:
2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane
mailing address:
P. O. Box 199, Mbabane
telephone:
[268] 404-2445
FAX:
[268] 404-2059
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Flag description:
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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
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Economy - overview:
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In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. In 2007, the sugar industry increased efficiency and diversification efforts, in response to a 17% decline in EU sugar prices. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives more than nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) account for two-thirds of Swaziland's government revenues, and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. Customs revenues plummeted during the global economic crisis and Swaziland has appealed to SACU for assistance. 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 sometimes 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.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$5.882 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$5.906 billion (2008 est.)
$5.767 billion (2007 est.)
note:
data are in 2009 US dollars
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$2.963 billion (2009 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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-0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
2.4% (2008 est.)
3.5% (2007 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$4,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$4,500 (2008 est.)
$4,400 (2007 est.)
note:
data are in 2009 US dollars
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 8.4%
industry:
42.4%
services:
49.2% (2009 est.)
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Labor force:
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457,900 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 157
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: NA%
industry:
NA%
services:
NA%
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Unemployment rate:
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40% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
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Population below poverty line:
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69% (2006)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%:
40.7% (2001)
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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50.4 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 23
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Investment (gross fixed):
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13.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
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Budget:
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revenues: $1.108 billion
expenditures:
$1.256 billion (2009 est.)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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7.6% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
13.7% (2008 est.)
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Central bank discount rate:
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11% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 33
11% (31 December 2007)
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Commercial bank prime lending rate:
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14.83% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 64
13.17% (31 December 2007)
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Stock of money:
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$211.8 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 145
$244.8 million (31 December 2007)
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Stock of quasi money:
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$441.5 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
$529.4 million (31 December 2007)
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Stock of domestic credit:
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$51.55 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
$204.1 million (31 December 2007)
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Market value of publicly traded shares:
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$NA (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 109
$203.1 million (31 December 2007)
$199.9 million (31 December 2006)
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Agriculture - products:
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sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
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Industries:
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coal, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textiles and apparel
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Industrial production growth rate:
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-3.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
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Electricity - production:
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441 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
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Electricity - consumption:
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1.266 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2008)
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Electricity - imports:
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770 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.)
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
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Oil - consumption:
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4,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
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Oil - exports:
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0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
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Oil - imports:
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4,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
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Oil - proved reserves:
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0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
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Natural gas - production:
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
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Natural gas - consumption:
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
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Natural gas - imports:
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
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Current account balance:
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-$180 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
-$152.7 million (2008 est.)
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Exports:
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$1.405 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
$1.569 billion (2008 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
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Imports:
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$1.559 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$1.7 billion (2008 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$663 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$751.9 million (31 December 2008 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$534 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
$554 million (31 December 2008 est.)
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Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
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$NA
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Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
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$NA
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Exchange rates:
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emalangeni per US dollar - 10.5 (2009), 7.75 (2008), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005)
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| Communications ::Swaziland |
Telephones - main lines in use:
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44,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 167
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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457,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
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Telephone system:
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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 reaching 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008; 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) (2008)
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 3, FM 2 (plus 4 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2004)
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Television broadcast stations:
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12 (includes 7 relay stations) (2004)
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Internet country code:
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.sz
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Internet hosts:
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2,609 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 144
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Internet users:
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48,200 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 171
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| Transportation ::Swaziland |
Airports:
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14 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 149
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2009)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 13
914 to 1,523 m:
6
under 914 m:
7 (2009)
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Railways:
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total: 301 km
country comparison to the world: 122
narrow gauge:
301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
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Roadways:
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total: 3,594 km
country comparison to the world: 160
paved:
1,078 km
unpaved:
2,516 km (2002)
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Military branches:
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Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing) (2010)
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Military service age and obligation:
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18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 16-49: 336,436 (2010 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 16-49: 196,633
females age 16-49:
172,602 (2010 est.)
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Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
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male: 16,024
female:
15,630 (2010 est.)
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Military expenditures:
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4.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 19
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| Transnational Issues ::Swaziland |
Disputes - international:
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|
in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa
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Trafficking in persons:
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current situation: Swaziland is a source, destination, and transit country for women and children trafficked internally and transnationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor in agriculture; Swazi girls, particularly orphans, are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, as well as to South Africa and Mozambique; Swazi boys are trafficked for forced labor in commercial agriculture and market vending; some Swazi women are forced into prostitution in South Africa and Mozambique after voluntarily migrating to these countries in search of work
tier rating:
the government of Swaziland does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government believes that trafficking probably does occur, but does not know the extent of the problem; the government does not judge trafficking to be an "important" problem and chooses to direct its limited resources towards other issues, a judgment which significantly limited the government's current efforts to eliminate human trafficking, or to plan anti-trafficking activities or initiatives for the future (2009)
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