Population of Eswatini

As of May 2026, the population of Eswatini is 1.2 million. The number of inhabitants has increased by 13 thousand in the last year, representing a growth of 1.06%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 20.1 years in 2016 to 22.3 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 62.1 years and population density is 71.9 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Eswatini peaked in 1988, reaching around 5.32% annually, but has since declined to approximately 1.05% in 2026. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 42.22 thousand in 1988 to nearly 13.14 thousand in 2026.

Life Expectancy

In Eswatini, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 43.1 years in 2006 to 62.1 years in 2026, representing an increase of almost 19 years over the past 2 decades.

Most populous cities in Eswatini

The cities of Eswatini are small, with the 5 most populated adding up to around 214.1 thousand inhabitants. The most populous city is Manzini, Manzini Region, with approximately 110.5 thousand inhabitants. It is followed by Mbabane, Hhohho Region with 76.2 thousand and Malkerns, Manzini Region with 9.7 thousand.

These are the 20 most populous cities in Eswatini: