Eswatini: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Eswatini?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts unemployment in Eswatini at 34.2% of the labour force in 2025, down slightly from 34.6% in 2024, according to World Bank data.

Modelled estimates fill gaps between national labour force surveys and may differ from the government's own survey results. The government statistics website could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so no national labour force survey figure is given here.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Eswatini

What is the youth unemployment rate in Eswatini?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Eswatini at 54.3% in 2025, about the same as 54.4% in 2024, according to World Bank data.

The youth rate counts young people who are looking for work and available for it, as a share of young people in the labour force; students who are not seeking work are not included. The overall unemployment rate for all ages was 34.2%. National Labour Force Survey figures could not be checked because the government statistics website was unreachable on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Youth unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Eswatini

Are companies in Eswatini hiring?

Employment at 145 companies covered by Eswatini's annual company survey rose 3.6% in 2024, according to the 2025 Company Survey Report by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development and the Central Bank of Eswatini. Construction employment rose 9.0% and wholesale and retail 15.9%, while mining fell 3.6% and ICT 3.7%.

The survey covers a sample of mostly larger, formal companies, so it does not measure total employment. The report says expected job growth is concentrated in a few sectors. Agriculture and forestry employment at surveyed companies rose 3.3% to 11,197.

Official sources: Central Bank of Eswatini and MEPD: 2025 Company Survey Report (PDF)

What share of adults in Eswatini work or look for work?

51.2% of people aged 15 and over in Eswatini were in the labour force in 2025, according to a modelled estimate from the International Labour Organization published by the World Bank. 28.4% of workers were in vulnerable employment, meaning own-account or unpaid family work.

These are model estimates that fill gaps between national labour force surveys. With unemployment estimated at about a third of the labour force, fewer than half of adults have work.

Official sources: World Bank: labour force participation, Eswatini · World Bank: vulnerable employment, Eswatini

What is Eswatini's minimum wage?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 600 SZL a month (about $33). It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Eswatini?

In 2023, average monthly earnings of employees in Eswatini was $384 a month, according to the ILO. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $183 a month; Eswatini is 4th highest of 11. Worldwide: 59th of 80.

What is Eswatini's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Eswatini was 34.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 36.5%; its low point was 2016, at 22.7%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Eswatini placed 1st highest of 45. Worldwide: 1st of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Eswatini?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 54.3%. The peak was 58.6% in 2020 and the low 47.0% in 2016. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 8.8%; Eswatini is 2nd highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 3rd highest.

What share of people in Eswatini are in the labour force?

51.2%: that is the labour force participation rate in Eswatini for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 52.5% in 2005 and the low 49.5% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Eswatini is 40th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 149th of 174.

What share of women in Eswatini are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Eswatini at 48.5% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 34th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. World rank, highest first: 116th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Eswatini?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Eswatini at 33.7% in 2025. The peak was 39.5% in 2016 and the low 32.0% in 2022. It is 43rd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. Worldwide: 167th of 174.

How many workers in Eswatini are self-employed or family workers?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Eswatini at 28.4% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Eswatini placed 41st highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 92nd highest.

What share of jobs in Eswatini are salaried?

69.8%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Eswatini for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; Eswatini is 5th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 76th of 174.