Photo: Caitlin from Hertfordshire, UK derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Eswatini: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Eswatini is placed 130th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 36.1 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 117.93 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
130th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Eswatini on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
117.93
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Eswatini: 117.93. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Southern Africa
- 117.57 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 82.22 · South Africa 117.57
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.695
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 126th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Eswatini: 0.695. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.741 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 0.493 · South Africa 0.741
02Over time
Which way Eswatini is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini fell from 360.74 in 2000 to 117.93 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2023 118 46.7 2022 112 53.0 2021 219 76.6 2020 102 56.0 2019 96 48.4 2018 133 49.3 2017 151 47.2 2016 213 50.6 2015 283 51.9 2014 369 52.8 2013 491 53.3 2012 613 54.6 2011 765 55.0 2010 752 56.1 2009 855 56.3 2008 766 55.8 2007 647 56.8 2006 511 58.1 2005 529 60.1 2004 451 63.0 2003 392 66.8 2002 331 66.0 2001 307 68.1 2000 361 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini rose from 0.493 in 2000 to 0.695 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2023 0.695 0.7620 2022 0.695 0.7610 2021 0.658 0.7450 2020 0.657 0.7425 2019 0.653 0.7515 2018 0.643 0.7520 2017 0.631 0.7480 2016 0.619 0.7500 2015 0.607 0.7430 2014 0.592 0.7410 2013 0.578 0.7390 2012 0.562 0.7350 2011 0.545 0.7250 2010 0.534 0.7250 2009 0.519 0.7220 2008 0.507 0.7180 2007 0.497 0.7100 2006 0.485 0.7045 2005 0.472 0.6960 2004 0.467 0.6960 2003 0.469 0.6910 2002 0.473 0.6845 2001 0.484 0.6770 2000 0.493 0.6720
03In context
Eswatini beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Eswatini and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | 116th | 49.3 | 117.57 | 0.741 |
| Eswatini | 130th | 36.1 | 117.93 | 0.695 |
 Mozambique | 165th | 6 | 82.22 | 0.493 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Eswatini in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Eswatini is ahead of the world, and behind
48 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Eswatini does better than the middle country measured.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.11.917.1No earlier reading
Eswatini: 1.9 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 133rd of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.810080.8No earlier reading
Eswatini: 100 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5461.8133.546No earlier reading
Eswatini: 1.813 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 124th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7454.0140.74No earlier reading
Eswatini: 54.01 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 34th of 136 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.471.20552.47No real change since 2015
Eswatini: 1.205 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1060.2898.106▲ Improved since 2014
Eswatini: 0.289 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.2513.34▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 15.25 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 64th of 195 · derived.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0330.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Eswatini: 0.033 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 58th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2110.210.21▲ Improved since 2010
Eswatini: 10.2 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 80th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median34
Statistics on which Eswatini does worse than the middle country measured.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23023,90225,230▲ Improved since 2010
Eswatini: 23,902 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 77th of 151 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9640.971▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 0.964 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 96th of 184 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48636,42746,486▲ Improved since 2010
Eswatini: 36,427 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 150 · derived.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.1333.246No real change since 2024
Eswatini: 3.133 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 43rd of 78 · derived.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.879.475.8No earlier reading
Eswatini: 79.4 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 40th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 908890▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 88 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8365.1272.83No real change since 2011
Eswatini: 65.12 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 80th of 139 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7515.923.75No earlier reading
Eswatini: 15.9 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8908,52212,890No real change since 2012
Eswatini: 8,522 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 100th of 166 · derived.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6513.5918.65No earlier reading
Eswatini: 13.59 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.6859.933▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 8.685 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 120th of 193 · derived.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.820.0313.8No earlier reading
Eswatini: 20.03 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 60th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26510,70717,265No real change since 2015
Eswatini: 10,707 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 121st of 185 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.913.843.9No earlier reading
Eswatini: 13.8 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.360.9769.3▲ Improved since 2016
Eswatini: 60.97 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 129th of 188 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918491▼ Worsened since 2015
Eswatini: 84 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6738.5446.67No real change since 2012
Eswatini: 38.54 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 138th of 195 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4840.351▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 0.484 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 124th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10088.3100▲ Improved since 2014
Eswatini: 88.3 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16313.648.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Eswatini: 13.64 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 53rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.4310.609▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 0.431 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 127th of 169 · derived.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10089.3100▲ Improved since 2014
Eswatini: 89.3 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5445.1214.54No real change since 2014
Eswatini: 45.12 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 35th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0721,2283,072▼ Worsened since 2013
Eswatini: 1,228 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 150th of 179 · derived.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.485.494.4No earlier reading
Eswatini: 85.4 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25247.734.252No earlier reading
Eswatini: 47.73 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 26th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.465.798.4No earlier reading
Eswatini: 65.7 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0535.0517.05No real change since 2013
Eswatini: 35.05 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.141.462.1▲ Improved since 2014
Eswatini: 41.46 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2642.2212.26▲ Improved since 2014
Eswatini: 42.22 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 24th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6364.1274.63▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 64.12 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 197th of 222 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.134258.134▼ Worsened since 2014
Eswatini: 25 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.85811.522.858▼ Worsened since 2014
Eswatini: 11.52 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 22nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.3730.564▲ Improved since 2010
Eswatini: 0.373 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 160th of 172 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.945.945.9No earlier reading
Eswatini: 45.9 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Eswatini: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2628.0611.26No real change since 2015
Eswatini: 28.06 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 4th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5792.562.579No real change since 2013
Eswatini: 2.56 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 66th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1312.713No earlier reading
Eswatini: 12.7 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
No current reading for Eswatini
GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2016), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2016), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2016), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2016), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2016) and Prosperity Gap (last 2016). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Eswatini’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is Eswatini’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy54th of 1653/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge101st of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability103rd of 1864/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience122nd of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation112th of 1764/4 keys
- Peace & Security114th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology129th of 1983/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital130th of 1963/3 keys
- Gender & Equality135th of 1833/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture140th of 1844/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions156th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing168th of 2004/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties181st of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour174th of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality154th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Eswatini can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles74th3/3 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa116th3/3 keysThis page
Eswatini130th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Eswatini and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Eswatini on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Eswatini rank on development & human capital?
Eswatini is placed 130th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Eswatini?
36.1 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Eswatini?
117.93 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Eswatini compare with South Africa on development & human capital?
South Africa is placed 116th of 196, and Eswatini 130th. Social Protection Coverage: South Africa 49.3, Eswatini 36.1; Maternal Mortality Ratio: South Africa 117.57, Eswatini 117.93; Human Development Index: South Africa 0.741, Eswatini 0.695.
How have Eswatini’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 360.74 in 2000 to 117.93 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.493 in 2000 to 0.695 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Eswatini?
No current reading is published for Eswatini on GNI per Capita (PPP), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day and Prosperity Gap. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 48 statistics on this page come from 16 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Eswatini’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Eswatini (banner) — Caitlin from Hertfordshire, UK derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Eswatini: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/eswatini/development