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Quick facts
Eswatini (Swaziland) population overview
Eswatini is the 49th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 1,263,823 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 37 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 28,942 births (22.9 per 1,000 people) and 9,858 deaths (7.8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 5,434 people. The infant mortality rate is 36 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 345,337 in 1960 to 1,256,174 in 2025 — a change of +263.8%, or +2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 22.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 64.5 years; women have on average 2.7 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 33% of residents are under 15 and 4.3% are 65 or older (2025); 26.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Mbabane. Eswatini covers 17,360 km², giving a population density of about 73.4 people per km². GDP was $5.16B in 2025 — about $4,108 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Eswatini (Swaziland) population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,274,707 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,263,823 |
| World rank | #160 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #49 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.015% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.1% |
| Births per year est. | 28,942 |
| Deaths per year est. | 9,858 |
| Net migration per year est. | -5,434 |
| Birth rate | 22.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 36 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 22.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 64.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 26.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 17,360 km² |
| Population density | 73.4 per km² |
| Capital | Mbabane |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $5.16B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $4,108 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Eswatini (Swaziland) population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,274,707 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,256,174 | +13,352 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 1,242,822 | +12,316 | +1% |
| 2023 | 1,230,506 | +11,589 | +1% |
| 2022 | 1,218,917 | +12,324 | +1% |
| 2021 | 1,206,593 | +13,864 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 1,192,729 | +49,916 | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 1,142,813 | +31,163 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 1,111,650 | +32,628 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 1,079,022 | +37,608 | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 1,041,414 | +70,981 | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 970,433 | +98,005 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 872,428 | +166,232 | +4.3% |
| 1985 | 706,196 | +109,552 | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 596,644 | +88,971 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 507,673 | +66,457 | +2.8% |
| 1970 | 441,216 | +52,880 | +2.6% |
| 1965 | 388,336 | +42,999 | +2.4% |
| 1960 | 345,337 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Eswatini
Population over time
- From 345,337 in 1960 to 1,274,707 today — up 269.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 64.3 years (2024), up 17.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.7 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 23.6 births vs 7.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 15.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 33% of the population is under 15 and 4.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 1.09 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.46 Mt in 1994 — down 25.1% since.
- Per person: 0.88 t in 2024, vs 0.58 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,007.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 14% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 64.7% of final energy in 2022 (+2.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 29.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 26.8% to 29.1% since 1990 — roughly 404 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 26.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 4.1% in 1960 (+22.7 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 40.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,166 m³ in 2022, down 71% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $5.16B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 32% since 2015.
- That works out to $4,108 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 34.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.6% in 2019.
Internet & mobile
- 63.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 139.8 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Eswatini in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Eswatini in 2026?
As of October 2026, Eswatini has an estimated population of 1,274,707. The United Nations estimated 1,263,823 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Eswatini growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.1% per year — roughly 37 more people every day. Each year there are about 28,942 births and 9,858 deaths, with net migration of -5,434.
What is the population density of Eswatini?
About 73.4 people per square kilometre: 1,274,707 people living on 17,360 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Eswatini?
The median age is 22.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 64.5 years. 33% of the population is under 15 and 4.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Eswatini rank by population?
Eswatini is the 160th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 49th in Africa, with 0.015% of the global population.
How has the population of Eswatini changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 345,337; by 2025 it had grown to 1,256,174 (+263.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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CyprusSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.