Eswatini Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 158th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
1,274,009
The population of Eswatini is about 1,274,009 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 1.3 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.02% of the world's people.
Eswatini is ranked 158th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.09% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 1.5 million. That is 3.7 times its 1960 population of 345 thousand. Population density is 74 people per square kilometre. 27% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
1.3 million
Yearly change
+1.09%
World rank
158th
Share of world
0.02%
Density
74/km²
Land area
17,200 km²
Life expectancy
64.3 yrs
Births per woman
2.72
GDP per capita
$4,108
GDP
$5.2B
Population of Eswatini, 1960–2050
Eswatini population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 345,337 | — | 20 |
| 1970 | 441,216 | +2.64% | 26 |
| 1980 | 596,644 | +3.37% | 35 |
| 1990 | 872,428 | +4.13% | 51 |
| 2000 | 1,041,414 | +1.03% | 61 |
| 2010 | 1,111,650 | +0.59% | 65 |
| 2020 | 1,192,729 | +1.09% | 69 |
| 2024 | 1,242,822 | +1.00% | 72 |
| 2026proj. | 1,269,859 | +1.09% | 74 |
| 2030proj. | 1,320,918 | +0.96% | 77 |
| 2040proj. | 1,429,781 | +0.66% | 83 |
| 2050proj. | 1,505,331 | +0.39% | 88 |
Eswatini vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 140 times as many people as Eswatini. Bangladesh is 18.5 times more densely populated.
Eswatini population: questions and answers
What is the population of Eswatini in 2026?
About 1,269,859 (1.3 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Eswatini's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.09% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Eswatini?
About 74 people per km², with a land area of 17,200 km².
What will the population of Eswatini be in 2050?
About 1.5 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Eswatini?
Lobamba and Mbabane.
What is the life expectancy in Eswatini?
64.3 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.