Photo: Caitlin from Hertfordshire, UK derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Eswatini: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Eswatini is placed 168th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 64.12 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 45.12 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
168th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 64.12Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 45.12Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 20.03Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 25Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Eswatini on health & wellbeing — 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 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
64.12
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Eswatini: 64.12. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Southern Africa
- 69.16 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 63.61 · South Africa 66.14
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
45.12
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Eswatini: 45.12. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Southern Africa
- 33.31 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 59.42 · South Africa 35.06
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Eswatini’s is from 2021 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
20.03
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
Eswatini: 20.03. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Southern Africa
- 20.03 Eswatini
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 36.73 · South Africa 21.33
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
25
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
Eswatini: 25. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Southern Africa
- 8.4 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- South Africa 8.4
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.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini rose from 47.63 in 2000 to 64.12 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2023 64.12 74.630 2022 63.03 74.313 2021 58.23 72.433 2020 59.86 73.063 2019 59.85 74.196 2018 58.71 74.081 2017 57.57 74.029 2016 56.23 74.013 2015 54.94 73.783 2014 53.49 73.330 2013 52.11 73.386 2012 50.71 73.210 2011 49.06 73.003 2010 48.33 72.827 2009 46.91 72.426 2008 45.85 72.264 2007 45.16 72.113 2006 44.56 72.027 2005 43.96 71.876 2004 43.91 71.477 2003 44.63 71.409 2002 45.38 71.173 2001 46.34 70.926 2000 47.63 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini fell from 112.5 in 2000 to 45.12 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2024 45.12 14.5 2023 46.21 15.2 2022 47.28 14.7 2021 47.87 15.1 2020 50.50 15.3 2019 51.49 15.7 2018 50.36 16.3 2017 53.58 16.8 2016 54.36 17.5 2015 57.51 17.9 2014 59.97 18.3 2013 59.66 18.7 2012 62.67 18.8 2011 67.56 19.0 2010 82.13 19.2 2009 92.44 20.8 2008 97.88 20.7 2007 100.32 21.8 2006 106.39 22.8 2005 116.99 24.0 2004 118.03 25.9 2003 117.92 26.9 2002 116.97 28.0 2001 115.68 29.1 2000 112.50 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini rose from 14.1 in 2020 to 25 in 2024; the world median went from 5.6 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2024 25 4.9 2023 22 4.7 2022 19 5.4 2021 16 5.7 2020 14 5.6 2019 — 5.0 2018 — 4.2 2017 — 4.0 2016 — 3.4 2015 — 3.4
03In context
Eswatini beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Eswatini and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | =148th | 66.14 | 35.06 | 21.33 | 8.4 |
| Eswatini | 168th | 64.12 | 45.12 | 20.03 | 25 |
 Mozambique | 189th | 63.61 | 59.42 | 36.73 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below Eswatini in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Eswatini is ahead of the world, and behind
54 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, 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 median12
Statistics on which Eswatini does better than the middle country measured.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.567.941.5No earlier reading
Eswatini: 67.9 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 12th of 127 · derived.
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.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.12.43.1No real change since 2020
Eswatini: 2.4 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 61st of 81 · 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.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.257871.25▼ Worsened since 2013
Eswatini: 78 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 59th of 196 · derived.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.990.382.9No earlier reading
Eswatini: 90.3 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 44th of 109 · derived.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.451314.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Eswatini: 13 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 125th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2618.7621.26No earlier reading
Eswatini: 18.76 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 61st of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
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 median32
Statistics on which Eswatini does worse than the middle country measured.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.483.773.48▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 3.77 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5729.5937.57No earlier reading
Eswatini: 29.59 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 65th of 115 · 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.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6575.5877.65No earlier reading
Eswatini: 75.58 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 144 · derived.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8375.6284.83▼ Worsened since 2013
Eswatini: 75.62 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 222522▲ Improved since 2016
Eswatini: 25 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 17th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8173.581No earlier reading
Eswatini: 73.5 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 95th of 153 · derived.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.992.796.9No earlier reading
Eswatini: 92.7 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.759.667.7No earlier reading
Eswatini: 59.6 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 81st of 127 · derived.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9546.6752.95No earlier reading
Eswatini: 46.67 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 89th of 136 · derived.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.6950.762▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 0.695 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 126th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.65117.9346.65▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 117.93 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 61st of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
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.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.290.25▼ Worsened since 2014
Eswatini: 0.29 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
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.
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.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3914.2416.39▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 14.24 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 165th of 222 · derived.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.214.75.2▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 14.7 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 39th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,5892,982▲ Improved since 2014
Eswatini: 2,589 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 155 · derived.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 415641▼ Worsened since 2012
Eswatini: 56 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.510.225.5No real change since 2014
Eswatini: 10.22 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 34th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4668.7327.46▼ Worsened since 2013
Eswatini: 68.73 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 43rd of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.468.126.4No real change since 2017
Eswatini: 68.1 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 20th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.961.720.9No real change since 2020
Eswatini: 61.7 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 17th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6931.78102.69▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 31.78 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher 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.
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.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.51365.5▼ Worsened since 2023
Eswatini: 13 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
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.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7289.29133.7▲ Improved since 2013
Eswatini: 289.29 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 10th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.736.151.73Moved since 2014
Eswatini: 6.15 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 44th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.445.835.4Moved since 2013
Eswatini: 45.8 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.554.954.55No real change since 2017
Eswatini: 4.95 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8941.2138.89Moved since 2015
Eswatini: 41.21 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 65th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2546.641.25Moved since 2013
Eswatini: 46.6 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
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.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6516.520.65No earlier reading
Eswatini: 16.5 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.884.9956.88No earlier reading
Eswatini: 4.995 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8322.3857.83Moved since 2013
Eswatini: 22.38 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.173.7916.17Moved since 2013
Eswatini: 3.79 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
No current reading for Eswatini
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2022), Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use and Malaria Incidence (P. vivax). 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
Health & Wellbeing among Eswatini’s 15 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Eswatini’s 12th 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 health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Eswatini can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Cabo Verde80th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=148th4/4 keysThis page
Eswatini168th4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 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 health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
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 health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Eswatini on health & wellbeing: 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 health & wellbeing?
Eswatini is placed 168th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Eswatini?
64.12 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Eswatini?
45.12 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Eswatini compare with South Africa on health & wellbeing?
South Africa is placed joint 148th of 200, and Eswatini 168th. Life Expectancy at Birth: South Africa 66.14, Eswatini 64.12; Under-Five Mortality Rate: South Africa 35.06, Eswatini 45.12; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: South Africa 21.33, Eswatini 20.03; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: South Africa 8.4, Eswatini 25.
How have Eswatini’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 47.63 in 2000 to 64.12 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 112.5 in 2000 to 45.12 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity rose from 14.1 in 2020 to 25 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Eswatini?
No current reading is published for Eswatini on Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use and Malaria Incidence (P. vivax). 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
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 54 statistics on this page come from 18 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
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Eswatini: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/eswatini/health