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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.sz

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2,609 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144

Internet users [time series]

48,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 171

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 3, FM 2 (plus 4 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2004)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity approaching 45 telephones per 100 persons; 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) (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

44,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 167

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

457,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 157

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

12 (includes 7 relay stations) (2004)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.055 billion expenditures: $1.083 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

11% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 11% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

14.83% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 13.17% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$33 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $4 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$554 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $524 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 22

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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, which may equal as much as 70% of government revenue this year, and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. Swaziland is not poor enough to merit an IMF program; however, the country is struggling to reduce the size of the civil service and control costs at public enterprises. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. 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 nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.266 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008)

Electricity - imports [time series]

770 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

441 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Exchange rates [time series]

emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$1.756 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $1.95 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.84 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$5.826 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $5.673 billion (2007 est.) $5.481 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 11.2% industry: 46% services: 42.8% (2008 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$4,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $4,400 (2007 est.) $4,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 3.5% (2007 est.) 2.8% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.7% (2001)

Imports [time series]

$1.855 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.926 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

13.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 8.1% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

18.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Labor force [time series]

457,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 154

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 $203.1 million (31 December 2007) $199.9 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Oil - consumption [time series]

4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Oil - imports [time series]

4,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Population below poverty line [time series]

69% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$752 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $774.2 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$51.55 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 126 $204.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$211.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 $244.8 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$441.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 $529.4 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

40% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 17,364 sq km country comparison to the world: 158 land: 17,204 sq km water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate [time series]

varies from tropical to near temperate

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Irrigated land [time series]

500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

drought

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Total renewable water resources [time series]

4.5 cu km (1987)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Capital [time series]

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)

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Maurice S. PARKER 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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ephraim Mandla HLOPHE chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002 FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254

Executive branch [time series]

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 elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

monarchy

Independence [time series]

6 September 1968 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, 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

Judicial branch [time series]

High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are 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 holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the new (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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 266,311 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 124,132 females age 16-49: 118,570 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 15,985 female: 15,754 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes air wing) (2008)

Military expenditures [time series]

4.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 21

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 39.4% (male 223,420/female 219,420) 15-64 years: 56.9% (male 308,251/female 331,623) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 15,261/female 25,938) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

26.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Death rate [time series]

30.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 23

Ethnic groups [time series]

African 97%, European 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

26.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 68.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 27 male: 71.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 31.99 years country comparison to the world: 224 male: 31.69 years female: 32.3 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.5 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi

Net migration rate [time series]

NA (2009 est.)

Population [time series]

1,123,913 country comparison to the world: 156 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 2009 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.459% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 225

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 148

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Railways [time series]

total: 301 km country comparison to the world: 122 narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

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

Eswatini