The Human Truth Foundation

Swaziland (Kingdom of Swaziland)

http://www.humantruth.info/swaziland.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#swaziland

Swaziland
Kingdom of Swaziland
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index168th best
CapitalMbabane (administrative) and Lobamba (legislative)
Land Area 17 200km21
LocationAfrica
Population1.1m2
Life Expectancy57.07yrs (2017)3
GNI$7 679 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesSZ, SWZ, 7485
Internet Domain.sz6
CurrencyLilangeni (SZL)7
Telephone+2688

1. Overview

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, Africa's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverAncient traditions are inherent in everyday life in this tiny mountain kingdom, where local festivals provide a rich counterpoint to the activities and wildlife spotting on offer. In short: big things come in small packages. The intriguing kingdom of Swaziland is diminutive, but boasts a huge checklist for any visitor. Wildlife watching? Adrenalin-boosting activities like rafting and mountain biking? Lively and colourful local culture? Tick. Tick. Tick. Plus there are superb walking trails, stunning mountain and flatland scenery, and excellent, high-quality handicrafts.

Presiding over this is King Mswati III, the last remaining absolute monarch in Africa. The monarchy has its critics but, combined with the Swazis´ distinguished history of resistance to the Boers, the British and the Zulus, it has fostered a strong sense of national pride. This is exemplified in its national festivals: the Incwala ceremony and the Umhlanga (Reed) dance.

An excellent road system makes Swaziland a pleasure to navigate. Many make a flying visit on their way to Kruger National Park, but it´s worth lingering here if you get the chance.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Swaziland National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
141=Laos0.607
141=Timor-Leste (E. Timor)0.607
143Nepal0.602
144Swaziland0.597
145Equatorial Guinea0.596
146=Zimbabwe0.593
146=Cambodia0.593
148Angola0.586
Africa Avg0.56
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
121Cuba$7 879
122Vietnam$7 867
123Laos$7 700
124Swaziland$7 679
125Morocco$7 303
126Tonga$6 822
127India$6 590
128Palestine$6 583
Africa Avg$5 339
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
165Guinea116.0
166Solomon Islands116.2
167Haiti116.3
168Swaziland116.5
169Liberia116.6
170Syria117.4
171Djibouti117.6
172Micronesia117.8
Africa Avg110.5
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Swaziland's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Swaziland's population is predicted to rise to 1.462 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 3.21. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
154Timor-Leste (E. Timor)1.3m
155Mauritius1.3m
156Cyprus1.2m
157Swaziland1.1m
158Djibouti1.0m
159Fiji0.9m
160Comoros0.8m
161Guyana0.8m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
186Mali58.9
187Guinea58.9
188Ivory Coast58.6
189Swaziland57.1
190Somalia55.3
191S. Sudan55.0
192Central African Rep.53.9
193Lesotho53.1
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
126Tajikistan3.19
127Haiti3.19
128Gabon3.20
129Swaziland3.21
130Bolivia3.25
131Pakistan3.25
132Micronesia3.33
133Sao Tome & Principe3.52
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
38Ghana06.5
39=Palestine06.5
40Ethiopia06.6
41=Swaziland06.6
42Central African Rep.06.8
43=Sudan06.8
43=Mauritania06.8
43=Kuwait06.8
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
113Kiribati2.6%
114Samoa2.5%
115Zimbabwe2.4%
116Swaziland2.4%
117Ecuador2.4%
118Paraguay2.4%
119Uruguay2.3%
120Mauritius2.3%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
45New Zealand14.5%
46Ukraine14.4%
47Israel14.0%
48Swaziland13.4%
49Lithuania13.2%
50Romania13.1%
51Iceland13.0%
52Bahamas12.8%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #swaziland #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
187Djibouti140.6
188Comoros140.8
189Pakistan141.3
190Swaziland141.8
191Mauritania144.4
192Cook Islands144.5
Africa Avg108.2
World Avg87.9
q=199.
Swaziland is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. And finally, it does worse than average when it comes to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports18, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms19, opposing gender inequality20, LGBT equality21, its nominal commitment to Human Rights22, freethought23, speed of uptake of HR treaties24 and in supporting press freedom25. Progress is always going to be difficult in a country where the richest 10% hold 40% of the country's entire income26; the powerful and the rich dominate everyone else. There is no popular representation since political parties were banned in 1973, and the dictatorial rule of King Mswati III since 1986 continues to "repress political dissent and disregard human rights and rule of law""World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)27.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Swaziland's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #Swaziland #vaccines

Compared to Africa (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Mauritius64.5
2Morocco73.1
3=Eritrea77.0
...
42Cameroon117.8
43Burkina Faso118.1
44=Chad119.9
44=Swaziland119.9
46Mali122.1
47Congo, (Brazzaville)123.4
48Namibia125.9
49Gabon131.3
50Ivory Coast132.6
Africa Avg108.2
q=54.
Health (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
178Burkina Faso118.1
179Venezuela118.5
180=Chad119.9
180=Swaziland119.9
182Papua New Guinea120.8
183Mali122.1
184Congo, (Brazzaville)123.4
185Cook Islands123.7
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives29. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau29.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean29, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa29.

For more, see:

Health:

Swaziland is a pretty unhealthy country. Swaziland does better than average in its smoking rate30 (but high for Africa). However Swaziland performs less well in most areas. It does worse than average in its immunizations take-up31 (still high for Africa), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance32, its fertility rate13 (still low for Africa), its adolescent birth rate20 (still good for Africa) and in its alcohol consumption rate33. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of its average life expectancy11. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Eswatini in 2002-2005 was the worst in the world, at 46yrs. Life expectancy in Eswatini declined by 2.5 years over the 30 years from 1990 - the only other country with such a long-term reduction in longevity is Lesotho, at -5.2yrs, although, in the 2010s many things improved.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
186Mali58.9
187Guinea58.9
188Ivory Coast58.6
189Swaziland57.1
190Somalia55.3
191S. Sudan55.0
192Central African Rep.53.9
193Lesotho53.1
Africa Avg62.79
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
33
Pos.2016
Per Capita33
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
147=Namibia9.8
147=USA9.8
149St Lucia9.9
150=Swaziland9.9
151Spain10.0
152S. Korea10.2
153=Laos10.4
153=Greece10.4
Africa Avg4.8
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
126Tajikistan3.19
127Haiti3.19
128Gabon3.20
129Swaziland3.21
130Bolivia3.25
131Pakistan3.25
132Micronesia3.33
133Sao Tome & Principe3.52
Africa Avg4.31
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
30
Pos.201430
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
69Yemen 388
70S. Sudan 398
71Belize 400
72Swaziland 427
73Sudan 428
74Costa Rica 432
75Botswana 449
76Syria 459
Africa Avg 340
World Avg 819
q=182.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
114Kenya114
115Haiti115
116Malawi116
117Swaziland117
118Iran118
119Yemen119
120Seychelles120
121Guinea-Bissau121
Africa Avg117.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better34
Pos.2016
%34
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
60Sao Tome & Principe35.4
61Seychelles36.8
62Zimbabwe38.2
63Swaziland38.4
64Djibouti38.6
65Lesotho38.7
66Gabon40.2
67Namibia40.6
Africa Avg33.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
20
Pos.2015
Per 100020
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
134Ghana66.8
135Brazil67.0
136Comoros68.3
137Swaziland70.4
138Bolivia70.8
139Nepal71.9
140Cape Verde73.4
141Afghanistan74.0
Africa Avg87.5
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
31
Pos.2015
Avg %31
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
100Romania92.7
101France92.6
102=El Salvador92.4
102=Swaziland92.4
104Palau92.4
105Vietnam92.3
106Denmark92.3
107Azerbaijan92.2
Africa Avg81.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Swaziland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Africa (2023)35
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank35
1Seychelles55.3
2Kenya57.4
3=Zambia57.6
...
38Niger100.7
39Congo, DR101.8
40Burundi102.0
41Swaziland102.3
42Botswana106.8
43S. Africa106.8
44Lesotho109.7
45Sao Tome & Principe110.3
46Congo, (Brazzaville)111.8
Africa Avg90.1
q=53.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)35
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank35
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
138Niger100.7
139Congo, DR101.8
140Burundi102.0
141Swaziland102.3
142Macedonia102.8
143=Micronesia103.0
143=Solomon Islands103.0
145Kyrgyzstan103.8
World Avg85.7
q=188.
When it comes to its responsibility towards the environment, Swaziland ranks 141st in the world. This rank is calculated from 4 data sets. Swaziland does better than average when it comes to its forested percent change 1990-201536, annual meat consumption per person37 (but high for Africa) and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. Swaziland still has work to do. Swaziland sits amongst the bottom 20 in its environmental performance38.

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
36
Pos.2015
%36
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
...
20Samoa+31.5
21Moldova+28.2
22Israel+25.0
23Swaziland+24.2
24Greece+22.9
25Philippines+22.7
26Lesotho+22.5
27Italy+22.5
Africa Avg-08.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
38
Pos.201838
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
159Togo41.8
160Liberia41.6
161Cameroon40.8
162Swaziland40.3
163Djibouti40.0
164Papua New Guinea39.4
165Eritrea39.3
166Mauritania39.2
Africa Avg46.4
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
94Cameroon1995 Jan 17
95N. Korea1995 Jan 24
96San Marino1995 Jan 26
97Swaziland1995 Feb 07
98Zimbabwe1995 Feb 09
99Vietnam1995 Feb 14
100Switzerland1995 Feb 19
101Argentina1995 Feb 20
Africa Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
37
Pos.2021
kg37
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
46Haiti21.6
47Lesotho21.7
48Thailand26.0
49Swaziland27.1
50Malawi27.4
51Tunisia27.8
52Sao Tome & Principe28.3
53Maldives28.8
Africa Avg24.9
World Avg52.5
q=185.

7. Swaziland's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2020)39
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank39
1S. Africa52.8
2Egypt70.4
3Tunisia73.4
...
18Ethiopia108.4
19Rwanda112.3
20Cape Verde116.3
21Swaziland118.0
22Gabon118.3
23=Namibia119.0
23=Senegal119.0
25Sudan119.8
26Sao Tome & Principe120.3
Africa Avg120.7
q=53.
Modernity & Learning (2020)39
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank39
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
154Cape Verde116.3
155Vanuatu117.0
156Nicaragua117.7
157Swaziland118.0
158Gabon118.3
159=Senegal119.0
159=Namibia119.0
161Sudan119.8
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Secondary Education
Higher is better
40
Pos.201840
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
136Honduras33.5%
137Haiti33.2%
138S. Sudan33.2%
139Swaziland32.6%
140Morocco32.2%
141Uganda32.1%
142Angola30.2%
143Lesotho30.0%
Africa Avg34.4%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
41
Pos.2021
Years41
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
89Bosnia & Herzegovina13.8
90Egypt13.8
91Indonesia13.7
92Swaziland13.7
93S. Africa13.6
94Macedonia13.6
95Azerbaijan13.5
96Jamaica13.4
Africa Avg11.0
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
101Cameroon101
102Peru102
103Cape Verde103
104Swaziland104
105Albania105
106Madagascar106
107Thailand107
108Yemen108
Africa Avg106.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
42
Pos.201642
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
134Sri Lanka29%
135Samoa29%
136Ghana28%
137Swaziland28%
138Guatemala27%
139Sudan26%
140Sao Tome & Principe26%
141Yemen25%
Africa Avg18.4%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
43
Pos.2017
Ratio43
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
119=Tuvalu0.0
119=Marshall Islands0.0
119=Georgia0.0
119=Swaziland0.0
119=Mongolia0.0
119=Samoa0.0
119=Albania0.0
119=Micronesia0.0
Africa Avg0.04
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#corruption #politics

Corruption
Higher is better
44
Pos.2022
Points44
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
130Egypt30.0
131=Mauritania30.0
131=Togo30.0
131=Swaziland30.0
131=Djibouti30.0
131=Papua New Guinea30.0
136Gabon29.0
137=Paraguay28.0
Africa Avg32.31
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
109Georgia109
110Kuwait110
111China111
112Swaziland112
113Argentina113
114Qatar114
115Afghanistan115
116Ivory Coast116
Africa Avg117.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
52Sri Lanka52
53Haiti53
54Rwanda54
55Swaziland55
56Luxembourg56
57Mali57
58El Salvador58
59Senegal59
Africa Avg96.7
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
45
Pos.2023
Score45
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
106Guyana2.13
107Sri Lanka2.14
108Bahrain2.15
109Swaziland2.17
110Benin2.18
111Lesotho2.19
112Djibouti2.20
113Congo, (Brazzaville)2.21
Africa Avg2.29
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
153Lebanon153
154Liberia154
155Mali155
156Swaziland156
157Yemen157
158Iraq158
159Bahrain159
160Slovenia160
Africa Avg83.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
122Honduras122
123Guinea123
124Congo, (Brazzaville)124
125Swaziland125
126Madagascar126
127Benin127
128Yemen128
129Pakistan129
Africa Avg104.5
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
46
Pos.2019
Score46
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
4Equatorial Guinea0.00
5Cambodia0.00
6Portugal0.00
7Croatia0.00
8Benin0.00
9Mauritania0.00
10Slovenia0.00
11Costa Rica0.00
12Romania0.00
Africa Avg3.41
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better47
Pos.201947
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
148Kiribati24.70
149=Yemen24.70
150Ethiopia24.90
151=Swaziland25.10
151=Malawi25.10
153Tanzania25.30
154Zambia26.50
155Uganda27.20
Africa Avg26.10
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better48
Pos.2017
%48
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
141Honduras50.5
142Guinea-Bissau50.7
143St Lucia51.2
144Swaziland51.5
145=Botswana53.3
145=Brazil53.3
147Mozambique54.0
148Lesotho54.2
Africa Avg42.6
World Avg38.1
q=152.
Multidimensional Poverty
Lower is better49
Pos.2018
Severity49
1Armenia.001
2Ukraine.001
3Serbia.001
...
43Peru.053
44Gabon.066
45Nicaragua.074
46Swaziland.081
47Morocco.085
48Honduras.090
49Sao Tome & Principe.092
50Bolivia.094
Africa Avg.264
World Avg.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below50:

Christian88.1%
Muslim0.2%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated10.1%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Baha'i, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%51.

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