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

75,800 (2011) country comparison to the world: 154

Telephones - mobile cellular

766,500 (2011) country comparison to the world: 158

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.447 billion expenditures: $1.459 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 9% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$3.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 -$280.9 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$737.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 $703.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 21

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.

Exchange rates

emalangeni per US dollar - 8.223 (2012 est.) 7.2597 (2011 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008)

Exports

$1.985 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $2.04 billion (2011 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)

$3.651 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.148 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $6.332 billion (2011 est.) $6.317 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 8.2% industry: 47% services: 44.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,300 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $5,400 (2011 est.) $5,400 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-2.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 0.3% (2011 est.) 2% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$2.111 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $2.108 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 6.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Labor force

457,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 157

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 113 $203.1 million (31 December 2007) $199.9 million (31 December 2006)

Population below poverty line

69% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$752.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $600.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.106 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $1.087 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$960 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $948.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$335.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $355.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Unemployment rate

40% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.113 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - consumption

1.175 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010) country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - from fossil fuels

67.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

32.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity - imports

597 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - installed generating capacity

130,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Electricity - production

450 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas - consumption

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

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas - production

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

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,567 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,898 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212

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 (2%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Irrigated land

500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 10.25% permanent crops: 0.81% other: 88.94% (2005)

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

4.5 cu km (1987)

Administrative divisions

4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Capital

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

Constitution

signed by the King July 2005; went into effect 8 February 2006

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 embassy: 2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-2445 FAX: [268] 404-2059

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Abednigo Mandla NTSHANGASE 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 16 October 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

Supreme Court; High Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission

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 19 September 2008 (next to be held in September 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

National anthem

name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi) lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT note: adopted 1968; the anthem uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles

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; 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) (2010)

Military expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 18

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 (2010)

Age structure

0-14 years: 37.4% (male 261,961/ female 256,095) 15-64 years: 59% (male 408,278/ female 409,798) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 20,765/ female 30,017) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

26.16 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 78

Death rate

14.21 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Education expenditures

7.8% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 12

Ethnic groups

African 97%, European 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

25.9% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

HIV/AIDS - deaths

7,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

180,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Health expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 97

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

total: 59.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 30 male: 63.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 49.42 years country comparison to the world: 219 male: 49.77 years female: 49.06 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.6% male: 82.6% female: 80.8% (2003 est.)

Major cities - population

MBABANE (capital) 74,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

320 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 35

Median age

total: 20.5 years male: 20.2 years female: 20.9 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Physicians density

0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

1,386,914 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 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

Population growth rate

1.195% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

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: 61% of population rural: 53% of population total: 55% of population unimproved: urban: 39% of population rural: 47% of population total: 45% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2007)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.03 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Urbanization

urban population: 21% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.5% 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

15 (2012) country comparison to the world: 148

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 7 (2012)

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)