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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.sz

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2,744 (2012) country comparison to the world: 158

Internet users [time series]

90,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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

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

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

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

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

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

Central bank discount rate [time series]

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

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

Current account balance [time series]

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

Debt - external [time series]

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

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

50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 21

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

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

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$3.651 billion (2012 est.)

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

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

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

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

$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

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

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

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

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

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

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

Labor force [time series]

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

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$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 [time series]

69% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

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

Stock of broad money [time series]

$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 [time series]

$NA

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

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

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

Stock of narrow money [time series]

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

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

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

Unemployment rate [time series]

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

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

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

Crude oil - exports [time series]

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

Crude oil - imports [time series]

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

Crude oil - production [time series]

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

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

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

Electricity - consumption [time series]

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

Electricity - exports [time series]

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

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

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

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

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

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

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

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

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

Electricity - imports [time series]

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

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

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

Electricity - production [time series]

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

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

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

Natural gas - exports [time series]

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

Natural gas - imports [time series]

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

Natural gas - production [time series]

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

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

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

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

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

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

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

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

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

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

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

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 17,364 sq km country comparison to the world: 159 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 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 [time series]

signed by the King July 2005; went into effect 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 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 [time series]

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 [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 (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 (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; 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 [time series]

monarchy

Independence [time series]

6 September 1968 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

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(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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 [time series]

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

National symbol(s) [time series]

lion; elephant

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

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

Swaziland Democracy Campaign; Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland 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, 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 344,038 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 201,853 females age 16-49: 175,477 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 16,168 female: 15,763 (2010 est.)

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

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

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

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

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

Death rate [time series]

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

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

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

Ethnic groups [time series]

African 97%, European 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

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

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

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

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

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

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 49.42 years country comparison to the world: 219 male: 49.77 years female: 49.06 years (2012 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 urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

MBABANE (capital) 74,000 (2009)

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)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Religions [time series]

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 [time series]

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) [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 21% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

15 (2012) country comparison to the world: 148

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 301 km country comparison to the world: 120 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