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Government directory

Government of Eswatini

118 officials listed, each linked to its source.

Population1.3 million2025
GDPUS$5.2bn2025
Next electionDue by 2028Parliamentary election
Ask PollsAfricaAsk a questionAnswered from our data

Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, has its capital at Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital) and a population of 1,256,174 (World Bank, 2025). The CIA World Factbook describes its system of government as an absolute monarchy. King Mswati III (in office since 25 Apr 1986) is head of state; Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is head of government. The legislature is the Parliament (Libandla), a bicameral body with 74 seats in the House of Assembly and 30 seats in the Senate. The most recent national election, per IFES ElectionGuide, was held on 29 Sept 2023. The source lists the next national election as expected in September 2028. Elections are run by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). Phil Mnisi is listed as central bank governor. The directory below lists 6 cabinet and ministerial posts with their current holders and sources.

Legislature

Parliament (Libandla)

Bicameral. Source: CIA World Factbook

ChamberSeatsLast election
House of Assembly74 (59 directly elected; 4 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)29 Sept 2023
Senate30 (10 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)6 Nov 2023

Eswatini House of Assembly: list of Members of Parliament · Eswatini Senate: list of Senators

Seats by party

Candidates stand as independents and parties do not contest elections, so there is no party mix. Checked on 19 October 2026.

Other cabinet members

PortfolioHolderAppointed
Prime Minister (Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini)Russell Dlamini3 Nov 2023
Deputy Prime Minister (Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini)Thuli Dladla13 Nov 2023
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade (Minister of Commerce, Industry & Trade)Manqoba Khumalo13 Nov 2023
Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (Minister of Information Communication & Technology)Savannah Maziya13 Nov 2023
Minister of Natural Resources and Energy (Minister of Natural Resources & Energy)Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini13 Nov 2023
Minister of Home AffairsPrincess Lindiwe Dlamini13 Nov 2023
Minister of Public Works and Transport (Minister of Public Works & Transport)Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe13 Nov 2023
Minister of Housing and Urban Development (Minister of Housing & Urban Development)Apollo Maphalala13 Nov 2023
Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs (Minister of Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs)Bongani Ndzima13 Nov 2023
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Minister of Tourism & Environmental Affairs)Jane Mkhonta-Simelane13 Nov 2023
Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development (Minister of Tinkhundla Administration & Development)Sikhumbuzo Dlamini13 Nov 2023
Minister of Labour and Social Security (Minister of Labour & Social Security)Phila Buthelezi13 Nov 2023
Minister of Public ServiceMabulala Maseko13 Nov 2023
Minister of Economic Planning and Development (Minister of Economic Planning & Development)Tambo Gina13 Nov 2023
Minister of AgricultureMandla Chauke13 Nov 2023

Sources: Prime Minister's cabinet announcement of 13 November 2023 as carried by the press (not yet checked against an official page) (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).

List as of 9 Oct 2026.

Parliament, courts and independent offices

OfficeHolderSince
Central bank governorPhil Mnisi-
Speaker of the House of AssemblyJabulani Mabuza6 Oct 2023

Sources: Central Bank of Eswatini (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); Wikipedia: House of Assembly of Eswatini (retrieved 23 Oct 2026).

Eswatini election dates 2026, 2027 and 2028

Next national election: Due by 2028, parliamentary election.

DateElectionStatusTurnoutWinner
Due by 2028Parliamentary electionDue--

Sources: Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).

Africa election calendar

Economy at a glance

Full economy page
GDP
US$5.2bn
2025
GDP growth
4.2%
2025
Remittances received
US$39m
2025
Foreign direct investment
US$53m
2025

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More data for Eswatini

Population of Eswatini

Eswatini had 1.3 million people in 2025, 47th largest of 53 in Africa. The IMF projects 1.3 million by 2030. African countries by population.

Eswatini in numbers

  • Population (2025)

    1.3

    47th largest of 53 in Africa

  • Population growth since 2015 (2025)

    9.8 %

    48th fastest-growing of 52 in Africa

  • Projected population 2030 (2030)

    1.3

    46th highest of 52 in Africa

  • People per sq km (2025)

    73

    26th most crowded of 53 in Africa

Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Population of Eswatini, 2015 to 2030Millions of people. From 2026 the figures are IMF projections.
1.11.21.31.42015201720192021202320252027202920301.3
1.11.21.31.4201520192023202720301.3
View the data as a table
PeriodEswatini
20151.1
20161.2
20171.2
20181.2
20191.2
20201.2
20211.2
20221.2
20231.2
20241.2
20251.3
20261.3 (partial)
20271.3 (partial)
20281.3 (partial)
20291.3 (partial)
20301.3 (partial)

Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Inflation and unemployment in Eswatini

Prices in Eswatini rose 2.6% in 2019, 34th highest of 52 in Africa. The ILO estimates unemployment at 34.2% (2025) and 54.3% among people aged 15 to 24. Eswatini's own survey put it at 28.7% in 2025; the two differ because the ILO models every country on one method while national surveys define work and job search in their own way. Inflation in Africa · Unemployment in Africa · Eswatini's economy.

Prices and jobs in Eswatini

  • Inflation (2019)

    2.6 %

    19th lowest of 52 in Africa

  • Unemployment (2025)

    34.2 %

    53rd lowest of 53 in Africa

  • Youth unemployment (2025)

    54.3 %

    51st lowest of 53 in Africa

  • Unemployment, national survey (2025)

    28.7 %

    National survey

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Inflation in EswatiniRise in consumer prices, % a year.
02.557.5102010201320162019202220252.6
02.557.510201020142018202220262.6
View the data as a table
PeriodEswatini
20104.5
20116.1
20128.9
20135.6
20145.7
20155.0
20167.9
20176.2
20184.8
20192.6
2020Not published
2021Not published
2022Not published
2023Not published
2024Not published
2025Not published
2026Not published

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Unemployment in Eswatini: ILO estimate and national survey% of the labour force. The national survey line has gaps in years without a survey.
2025303540201020132016201920222025ILO modelled estimate 34.2National survey 28.7
ILO modelled estimateNational survey202530354020102014201820222026
View the data as a table
PeriodILO modelled estimateNational survey
201026.9Not published
201126.1Not published
201225.2Not published
201324.6Not published
201423.9Not published
201523.4Not published
201622.722.7
201724.5Not published
201826.5Not published
201928.2Not published
202033.0Not published
202134.233.8
202236.5Not published
202334.634.3
202434.6Not published
202534.228.7
2026Not publishedNot published

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Life expectancy and infant mortality in Eswatini

A child born in Eswatini can expect to live 64.3 years (2024). 45 of every 1,000 children die before age five. Life expectancy in Africa, all countries ranked.

Health in Eswatini

  • Life expectancy (2024)

    64.3

    30th longest of 54 in Africa

  • Child deaths under five (2024)

    45

    25th lowest of 54 in Africa

  • Health spending per person (2023)

    296

    8th highest of 54 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Life expectancy in Eswatini against the middle African countryLife expectancy at birth, years.
5055606570201420162018202020222024Eswatini 64.3Middle African country 65…
EswatiniMiddle African country50556065702014201720202023
View the data as a table
PeriodEswatiniMiddle African country
201453.561.8
201554.962.3
201656.262.8
201757.663.1
201858.763.2
201959.963.3
202059.963.7
202158.262.5
202263.064.6
202364.165.6
202464.365.8

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Infant and child mortality in EswatiniDeaths before age five per 1,000 live births. Lower is better.
40455055606520142016201820202022202445
404550556065201420172020202345
View the data as a table
PeriodEswatini
201460
201558
201654
201754
201850
201952
202051
202148
202247
202346
202445

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Literacy rate in Eswatini

90.8% of adults in Eswatini can read and write (2022, World Bank). Literacy rate in Africa by country · Universities and exam bodies in Eswatini.

Literacy and schooling in Eswatini

  • Adult literacy (2022)

    90.8 %

    5th highest of 52 in Africa

  • Youth literacy (2022)

    98.7 %

    3rd highest of 53 in Africa

  • Education spending, % of GDP (2024)

    6.0 %

    8th highest of 52 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Human development and internet access in Eswatini

Eswatini's Human Development Index was 0.695 in 2023, 126th of 193 countries in the world (medium human development). Human Development Index in Africa · Tech and internet in Africa · Learn digital skills with SR Academy.

Development and digital access in Eswatini

  • Human Development Index (2023)

    0.70

    11th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Internet users (2024)

    63.4 %

    14th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Mobile subscriptions (2024)

    140

    8th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Access to electricity (2024)

    89.3 %

    12th highest of 54 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Human development in EswatiniUNDP Human Development Index, 0 to 1, against the middle African country.
0.40.50.60.70.8200020032006200920122015201820212023Eswatini 0.70Middle African country 0.…
EswatiniMiddle African country0.40.50.60.70.8200020052010201520202023
View the data as a table
PeriodEswatiniMiddle African country
20000.490.44
20010.480.45
20020.470.45
20030.470.46
20040.470.46
20050.470.47
20060.490.47
20070.500.48
20080.510.49
20090.520.50
20100.530.50
20110.550.51
20120.560.52
20130.580.52
20140.590.52
20150.610.53
20160.620.53
20170.630.54
20180.640.54
20190.650.55
20200.660.55
20210.660.56
20220.700.57
20230.700.57

Source: UNDP, Human Development Report, composite indices time series. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Is Eswatini safe?

The US State Department rates Eswatini at level 2 of 4: exercise increased caution. The homicide rate is 12.5 per 100,000 people (2021). Safest countries in Africa.

Safety in Eswatini

  • US travel advisory level (2026)

    2

    24th safest by advisory of 54 in Africa

  • Homicide rate (2021)

    12.5

    32nd lowest of 37 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Coups, democracy and stability in Eswatini

Eswatini has had 2 successful coups, the latest on 10 August 1983, and 2 failed attempts or plots. Coups in Africa: every country.

  • 20 March 1984: Coup plot
  • 8 December 1983: Coup plot
  • 10 August 1983: Coup (succeeded)
  • 12 April 1973: Coup (succeeded)
Democracy and stability in Eswatini

  • Voice and accountability (2025)

    31

    46th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Political stability (2025)

    56

    25th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Control of corruption (2025)

    32

    27th highest of 54 in Africa

Source: World Bank, Worldwide Governance Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Eswatini's debt

Government debt was 44.8% of GDP in 2025 (IMF). The largest foreign creditor is African Development Bank, owed 29.1% of public debt abroad (2024). Eswatini's debt and creditors in full · Debt in Africa.

Where Eswatini ranks in Africa

Its place among the 54 African countries on each of our Africa rankings. Each tile opens the full ranking with its source.

All Africa rankings

Cite this

PollsAfrica (2026). Government of Eswatini. Retrieved 26 Oct 2026 from https://pollsafrica.com/countries/eswatini