Eswatini: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Eswatini?

53.5% of people in Eswatini lived below the national poverty line in 2023, down from 58.9% in 2016, according to the World Bank, based on national household surveys. Using the international line of US$3.00 a day, 44.5% were poor in 2016, according to the World Bank.

The national line is based on the cost of basic needs in Eswatini, while the international line allows comparison across countries. A newer international estimate was not available in the World Bank data on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty at national poverty lines, Eswatini · World Bank: Poverty at $3.00 a day, Eswatini

How fast is the cost of living rising in Eswatini?

Consumer prices in Eswatini were 2.8% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Monetary Policy Statement of 25 September 2026. The Bank expects average inflation of 2.52% in 2026.

Fuel is the main pressure: after a 70-cent cut in February 2026, petrol rose by a total of E5.82 a litre and diesel by E11.75 a litre in April and May 2026, according to the Bank's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26. An average electricity tariff rise of 11.74% has also been approved. Food inflation averaged 2.1% in 2025.

Official sources: Central Bank of Eswatini: Monetary Policy Statement, 25 September 2026 (PDF) · Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

How much does fuel cost in Eswatini?

Domestic fuel prices in Eswatini averaged E20.39 a litre in 2025, down from E20.88 in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26. In April and May 2026 prices rose by a cumulative E5.82 a litre for petrol, E11.75 for diesel and E12.08 for paraffin.

The increases followed a rise in world oil prices above US$100 a barrel in March 2026. The Bank says they are expected to push up other prices, especially public transport fares.

Official sources: Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

How fast are housing and utility costs rising in Eswatini?

The housing and utilities part of Eswatini's consumer price index rose 4.6% in 2025, down from 7.0% in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26. The Bank links the slowdown to smaller rent increases and an electricity tariff rise of 8.0% in 2025/26, against about 11.0% the year before.

Housing and utilities is one of the three largest categories in the index, with food and transport. An average electricity tariff increase of 11.74% has been approved by the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority, which the Bank says is likely to add to inflation.

Official sources: Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

Are school fees rising in Eswatini?

The education part of Eswatini's consumer price index rose 5.0% in 2025, up from 2.7% in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26. The Bank says this reflects average fee rises of 9.6% for pre-primary education and 6.0% for secondary education.

The index measures what households pay. Education was one of the few categories where inflation rose in 2025, while overall inflation fell to 3.1%.

Official sources: Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

What is Eswatini's inflation rate?

In 2019, consumer price inflation in Eswatini was 2.6%, according to the IMF. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 27th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.9%. Worldwide: 76th of 178.

What is household spending per person in Eswatini?

$2,280: that is household consumption per person in Eswatini for 2024, according to the World Bank. Since 2013 it has ranged from $1,963 (2016) to $2,287 (2023). Sub-Saharan Africa median: $853; Eswatini is 9th highest of 41. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 153.

How many people in Eswatini live on under $3 a day?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2016, is 44.5%. It was 65.0% in 2000. It is 5th highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.1%. Worldwide: 5th of 81.

What is the poverty rate in Eswatini?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Eswatini at 53.5% in 2023. In 2009 the figure was 63.0%. It is 1st highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.8%. Worldwide: 3rd of 39.

What is income inequality in Eswatini?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Eswatini was 54.6 in 2016. In 2000 the figure was 53.1. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 43.7, and Eswatini placed 1st highest of 7. Worldwide: 1st of 81.

What is food insecurity in Eswatini?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Eswatini was 61.7%, according to the FAO. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; Eswatini is 14th highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 17th of 135.