Eswatini: housing

Do households in Eswatini have water and sanitation?

80.4% of people in Eswatini used at least basic drinking water services in 2024 and 64.5% at least basic sanitation, according to WHO and UNICEF estimates published by the World Bank.

Treated piped water connections from the Eswatini Water Services Corporation rose 2.0% to 69,093 by the end of 2025, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26. Basic water means an improved source within 30 minutes' round trip; it does not require a tap in the home.

Official sources: World Bank: basic drinking water, Eswatini · World Bank: basic sanitation, Eswatini · Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

How many homes in Eswatini have electricity?

89.3% of people in Eswatini had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank, using survey data compiled for UN tracking of energy access. The Eswatini Electricity Company had 309,852 customers in 2025, up 4.6%, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini's Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26.

Residential electricity sales were 451.2 GWh in 2025. Customer numbers count accounts, not people, and include businesses. Access figures include off-grid sources such as solar home systems.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, Eswatini · Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

How many people in Eswatini live in towns?

26.7% of people in Eswatini lived in urban areas in 2025, according to UN estimates published by the World Bank. 17.0% of the urban population lived in slum conditions in 2022, according to UN-Habitat.

A slum household here lacks at least one of improved water, improved sanitation, enough living space, durable housing or secure tenure. Most people in Eswatini live in rural areas.

Official sources: World Bank: urban population, Eswatini · World Bank: population living in slums, Eswatini

What share of Eswatini is urban?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 26.7%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 44.9%; Eswatini is 43rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 177th of 193.

What share of Eswatini's city dwellers live in slums?

17.0%: that is the share of city dwellers living in slums in Eswatini for 2022, according to UN-Habitat. The peak was 47.9% in 2006 and the low 10.8% in 2016. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; Eswatini is 48th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 81st of 170.

What share of people in Eswatini have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Eswatini at 89.3% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.8%, and Eswatini placed 8th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 140th of 193.

What share of people in Eswatini have safe drinking water?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Eswatini was 38.2% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.2%, and Eswatini placed 6th highest of 25. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 105th highest.

What is access to sanitation in Eswatini?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 60.8%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 2nd highest of 29 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 23.6%. World rank, highest first: 68th of 134.

What share of homes in Eswatini cook with clean fuels?

56.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Eswatini for 2024, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.0%; Eswatini is 8th highest of 48. Worldwide: 134th of 192.