- Welcome to Swaziland
- In the Commonwealth
- Facts and Figures
- Swaziland became a member of the Commonwealth in 1968
- Swaziland has been an independent country since the 6th of September 1968
- Swaziland is a monarchy
- Swaziland has been competing in the Commonwealth Games since 1970, and has won four medals over that period
- It is one of six landlocked Commonwealth countries, all of which are in Africa
- Mountains in the western highlands rise to 1,862m, and the lowlands to the east fall to around 150m
- As a neighbour of South Africa – Africa’s economic powerhouse – Swaziland receives more than most other African countries in remittances per capita
The Hon. Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini
Prime Minister of Swaziland
It is a very great pleasure for me, on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, the Queen Mother, the Government of Swaziland and the entire Swazi nation, to welcome all readers to this, the country portal for Swaziland in the Commonwealth of Nations website.
Being a member of the Commonwealth – this family of 53 separate, sovereign nations – is the source of great pride to our country. Through its commitment to eradicate poverty, ignorance and disease, the Commonwealth has created a vibrant code for its member states. It ranks as one of the most substantial organisations in the world with a membership of countries comprising more than a third of the world’s population.
Whilst only a very small part of the 31 million square kilometres that is the combined area of Commonwealth countries, Swaziland’s commitment is as great as any member nation. The framework of common goals and values are the source of inspiration to our country. We respect and are greatly motivated by the common pursuit of world peace and individual liberties, of equality and opposition to racism. Swaziland remains fully committed to supporting and implementing the guiding principles of the Commonwealth. This family of nations has evolved in a spirit of mutual commitment and harmony, showing firmness and fairness when any member breaches the Harare Declaration.
Swaziland – the land of the Swazi people – is a small country but what it lacks in physical size it makes up in warmth and welcome. It is a land blessed with a picturesque, highly varied landscape and a rich, attractive culture. The Swazis are a people proud of their reputation for harmony, both social and musical. The country has an excellent infrastructure and reliable communications system. Its educated workforce is known for its high labour productivity. In common with many countries that need to increase the numbers in permanent employment, Swaziland welcomes foreign investment to its open and competitive economy, recognising the value of new capital and skills.
The above message was provided by the previous Prime Minister.
Swaziland in the Commonwealth
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Commonwealth Projects
Development of National Human Resource Development Plan (2007/08)
A national skills survey was conducted in 2005 which indicated that the Kingdom of Swaziland did not have the skills necessary to achieve its development aspirations and improve the Human Development indices in the country. The project was building capacity in the Ministry of Public Service and Information by preparing a human resource development (HRD) plan and strategy to guide the Ministry of Education, the University of Swaziland and other pre-service and in-service educational training institutions, to create the skills and competencies that are required by the Swaziland economy. The HRD plan will also assist in replenishing shills that are being lost through the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Building of Legislative Drafting Capacity (2007/08)
This project is building the capacity in the Office of the Principle Parliamentary Counsel to draft the necessary legislation to set up institutions as required by the Constitution and to update laws that are essential for the operation of the government, the legislature and the judiciary. The project will also provide mentoring for legislative drafters within the office of the Principle Parliamentary Counsel.
Supporting Swaziland’s Middle Income Status and access to resources from Multilateral Organisations (2005/06)
The objective of this project was to improve Swaziland’s access to international financial assistance (from multilateral and bilateral sources). The project formed part of the Economic Development Assistance component of the joint programme frameworks between UNDP Swaziland and the Commonwealth Secretariat to engage in collaborative programming in Swaziland.
Commonwealth Expert Team to Swaziland elections (2003)
A Commonwealth Expert Team observed the Swaziland elections to verify whether they took place in conformity with good electoral practice. The team produced a report of their findings and recommendations for the Secretary-General.
Advisor on Poverty Reduction (2003)
A Poverty Reduction Task Force was established in 2001 under the chair of the Principle Planning Office (Cross-Sectoral) of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. The Task Force consisted of officers from key ministries and was required to formulate a Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (PRSAP). An expert was provided to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development to coordinate and monitor implementation of the PRASP. The expert assisted the Principle Planning Officer (Cross-Sectoral) to establish a Unit and to design a computerised system to coordinate and implement the PRASP. This included activities funded by the government, by donors and by major NGOs. Training in poverty planning, coordination and monitoring were also provided by the expert.
Population
Total area: 17,364 sq. km
Population in thousands (2010): 1,186
Population density (2010): 68 per sq. km
Proportion of population under 18 (2010): 46.2%
Proportion of population over 60 (2010): 5.6%
Proportion of population living in urban areas (2010): 21%
Economy
GNI in thousands (2010): US$3,119,466
GNI per capita (2010): US$2,630
GDP average annual growth (2006-10): 2.1%
Inflation, average annual (2006-10): 7.6%
Education
Proportion of pupils completing primary school (2009): 83.9%
Net enrolment rate (2010): 85.5%
Adult literacy rate: 87.4%
Gross enrolment ratio all levels (2007-10): 4.4%
Primary pupil-teacher ratio (2007-10): 32
Secondary pupil-teach ratio (2007-10): 18
Public spending on education (2007-10): 7.4%
Gross tertiary enrolment ratio (2007-10): 4.4%
Health
Proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS aged 15-49 (2009): 25.9%
Under 5 mortality per 1,000 live births (2010): 78
Population with access to adequate sanitation facilities (2008): 55%
Population with access to an improved water source (2008): 69%
Life expectancy (2010): 48
Public spending on health per capita (2009): US$ 156
Public spending on health as a proportion of total public expenditure (2009): 4%
Medical doctors per 100,000 people (latest data): 16
Nurses and midwives per 100,000 people (latest data): 630
Environment
CO2 emissions per capita (2008): 0.9 tonnes
Overall change in annual CO2 emissions (1990-2008): 157.2%
Forest area as a proportion total land area: 32.7%
Overall deforestation since 1990 (2008): 19.3%
ICTs
Landline telephones per 1,000 people (2010): 42
Cumulative growth/decline in landline telephones (2005-10): 25.8%
PCs per 1,000 people (2009): 37
Mobile subscribers per 1,000 people (2010): 694
Overall growth in mobile subscribers (2005-10): 266.4%
Internet users per 1,000 (2010): 80.2
Swaziland
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