![Eswatini (formerly Swaziland]) landscape](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F2%2F20%2FEswatini_landscape.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Eswatini
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small landlocked kingdom located in southern Africa, nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. The country is one of the world's last absolute monarchies, where King Mswati III holds significant politica...
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With a safety index of 58/100, Eswatini offers moderate safety conditions for expats and their families.
Citizens of over 90 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU member states, enjoy visa-free entry to Eswatini for tourism, business, or transit purposes for up to 30 days per visit.[2][3] A valid passport is required, with at least six months validity recommended, though some sources specify three months; passports must have at least two blank pages for stamps, especially when transiting via South Africa.[1][2][7] Travelers arriving from yellow fever risk countries must present a...
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41% below EU avg
11% below EU avg
12% above EU avg
Near EU average
Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.
Capital
Mbabane
Timezone
UTC+02:00
Area
17,364 km²
Population
1,160,164
Eswatini shows a purchasing power index of 69/100, indicating good economic conditions for expats.
GDP
$4.85B
HDI
0.6
Quality of Life
75/100
+32 vs NYC
Purchasing Power
29/100
-13 vs NYC
Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Eswatini. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.
Cost of Living Index
Very affordable with CPI of 28.8 (NYC=100). Groceries index at 28.2 and restaurant prices at 24.8 are exceptionally low compared to developed nations.
Housing Market
Highly affordable with property prices averaging 2.2 years of household income. Rent index of 6.1 indicates very low housing costs for both purchase and rental markets.
Average Income Levels
Below average purchasing power index of 67.3 reflects limited local income levels. Economic growth projected at 4.6% for 2026 but structural challenges persist.
Tax System
Progressive income tax system with rates varying by income bracket. VAT applied on goods and services. Tax administration relatively straightforward but enforcement capacity limited.
Business Environment
Moderate business environment with challenges in infrastructure and regulatory efficiency. Manufacturing and agriculture sectors show growth potential but skills gaps and power supply issues constrain expansion.
Social Security
Basic social security framework exists but coverage and benefit levels are limited. Healthcare and pension systems underdeveloped compared to regional standards; unemployment benefits minimal.
Eswatini features a subtropical climate with hot, rainy summers from October to April and cool, dry winters from May to September. Variations arise from altitude, with cooler Highveld in the west and warmer Lowveld in the east.
4 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details
Read full guideLife Expectancy
57.8
Population
1,160,164
Religions
Ethnic Composition
Research in Progress
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We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.
Eswatini is an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III since 1986, the last absolute monarchy in Africa. The political system operates through the unique Tinkhundla system, which combines traditional governance structures with elements of parliamentary representation, though the king retains supreme authority and appoints a majority of parliament members. The government is currently focused on economic transformation and development initiatives outlined in its 2024-2029 programme of action.
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Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.