Question 1

What is the GDP growth rate of Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

Eswatini's real GDP grew 6.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, seasonally adjusted, up from a revised 5.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Monetary Policy Statement of 24 July 2026. Output rose 1.1% on the previous quarter. The Bank attributes the stronger growth mainly to a rebound in the secondary sector, which includes manufacturing and construction. For the full year 2025 the World Bank puts growth at 4.2%. The government statistics website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Question 2

What is the GDP per capita of Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

GDP per person in Eswatini was about US$4,108 in 2025 at current prices, up from US$3,910 in 2024, according to the World Bank . The population was about 1.26 million. GDP per capita divides the value of all output by the number of residents and does not show how income is shared. The World Bank reports that 53.5% of people lived below the national poverty line in 2023. Values in US dollars also move with the exchange rate of the lilangeni.

Question 3

What is the inflation rate in Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

Headline consumer inflation in Eswatini rose to 2.8% in August 2026 from 2.5% in July, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Monetary Policy Statement of 25 September 2026 . Food prices moved from a 0.8% fall to no change, and transport inflation rose to 3.5%, reflecting fuel prices linked to the Middle East war. The Bank cut its forecast for average 2026 inflation to 2.52% from 3.0%, and expects 3.86% in 2027. It names the Middle East conflict and a possible El Niño drought as risks. Average inflation was 3.1% in 2025, down from 4.0% in 2024, according to its Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 .

Question 4

What is the interest rate in Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

The Central Bank of Eswatini raised its discount rate by 0.25 percentage points to 7.00% from 26 September 2026, according to its Monetary Policy Statement of 25 September 2026 . Banks are expected to raise the prime lending rate for individuals and businesses to 10.50%. The lilangeni is pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. The South African Reserve Bank raised its repo rate to 7.25% on 23 September 2026, according to the same statement. The Bank had held its rate at 6.75% before this increase.

Question 5

How large are Eswatini's foreign reserves?

Accepted Answer

Eswatini's foreign exchange reserves were E11.4 billion on 18 September 2026, enough to cover 2.6 months of imports, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Monetary Policy Statement of 25 September 2026 . Reserves back the lilangeni's one-to-one peg to the South African rand. They depend heavily on receipts from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which fell from E13.1 billion in 2024/25 to E10.4 billion in 2025/26, according to the Bank's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 . Reserve assets grew by E2.8 billion in 2025.

Question 6

Is bank lending growing in Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

Credit to the private sector in Eswatini was E23.8 billion in July 2026, 11.4% more than a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Monetary Policy Statement of 25 September 2026 . Lending to households reached E10.0 billion and credit to businesses E12.9 billion. Non-performing loans were E1.4 billion, and the non-performing loan ratio fell to 6.6% in July 2026. A rising share of bad loans would signal that borrowers are struggling to repay; the ratio fell by 0.2 percentage points from June.

Question 7

How many tourists visit Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

Eswatini recorded 1,037,058 international arrivals in 2025, up from 969,193 in 2024, according to Central Statistical Office and Eswatini Tourism Authority figures in the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 . The same statistics count 192,019 international tourists, up from 179,719. Bed-nights sold fell from 523,378 to 457,588, while the total value recorded rose to E541.2 million from E525.1 million. Domestic tourists numbered 144,889. The Bank also reports weaker demand for conference and accommodation services after cuts in United States aid affected NGO activity.

Question 8

How much does Eswatini get from the Southern African Customs Union?

Accepted Answer

Eswatini received E10.4 billion from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) in the 2025/26 fiscal year, down from E13.1 billion in 2024/25, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 . The 2026/27 budget expects SACU receipts to rise by 12.9%. SACU pools customs and excise duties collected by its members, mostly in South Africa, and shares them out by formula, so Eswatini's receipts can swing sharply from year to year. The budget plans to put E343 million into the Revenue Stabilisation Fund to cushion future falls.

Question 9

Where does Eswatini get its electricity?

Accepted Answer

Eswatini imported 969.2 GWh of electricity in 2025 and produced 411.3 GWh locally, according to Eswatini Electricity Company figures in the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 . Local generation rose 18.6% in 2025, which cut imports from 1,026.8 GWh in 2024. Electricity consumption was about 1,190 GWh, and the number of customers rose 4.6% to 309,852. Residential sales were 451.2 GWh.

Question 10

How fast is Eswatini's economy growing?

Accepted Answer

According to the World Bank, real GDP growth in Eswatini was 4.2% in 2025. The peak was 6.7% in 2006 and the low -3.0% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.6%; Eswatini is 26th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 67th of 180.

Question 11

How rich is Eswatini per person?

Accepted Answer

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Eswatini at $4,108 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at $4,225; its low point was 2005, at $2,871. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $1,351, and Eswatini placed 9th highest of 46. Worldwide: 121st of 180.

Question 12

What is Eswatini's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

Accepted Answer

The World Bank puts GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Eswatini at $12,529 in international dollars in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $4,425 in international dollars; Eswatini is 7th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 116th of 179.

Question 13

What share of Eswatini's economy is exports?

Accepted Answer

According to the World Bank, exports of goods and services in Eswatini was 53.8% of GDP in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2013. It is 4th highest of 42 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 27.4% of GDP. Of 162 countries with 2024 data, 40th highest.

Question 14

Does Eswatini earn more abroad than it spends?

Accepted Answer

The IMF puts the current account balance in Eswatini at 2.4% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 13.6% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at -11.8% of GDP. It is 5th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -3.6% of GDP. Worldwide: 35th of 132.

Question 15

How much foreign direct investment goes into Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

The IMF puts net inflows of foreign direct investment in Eswatini at 1.0% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1.5% of GDP (2005) to 3.8% of GDP (2006). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.0% of GDP, and Eswatini placed 38th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 129th of 179.

Question 16

What are bank lending rates in Eswatini?

Accepted Answer

10.9% : that is the average bank lending rate in Eswatini for 2024, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 14.8%; its low point was 2021, at 7.2%. It is 19th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.0%. World rank, highest first: 40th of 89.

Eswatini: economy