Photo: Caitlin from Hertfordshire, UK derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Eswatini: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Eswatini is placed 174th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 33.68 (2025); Labour Income Share 41.16 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
174th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Eswatini on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
33.68
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Eswatini: 33.68. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Africa
- 51.96 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 73.49 · South Africa 37.58
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
34.2
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Eswatini: 34.2. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Africa
- 16.32 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 6.628 · South Africa 32.39
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
28.38
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Eswatini: 28.38. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Africa
- 11.66 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 83.68 · South Africa 11.66
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini fell from 40.17 in 2000 to 33.68 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2025 33.683 57.720 2024 33.464 57.694 2023 33.494 58.158 2022 32.040 57.688 2021 32.716 56.066 2020 33.171 55.691 2019 36.051 57.871 2018 37.157 56.911 2017 38.361 56.738 2016 39.518 56.845 2015 39.245 56.788 2014 39.084 56.774 2013 38.851 56.229 2012 38.583 56.289 2011 38.212 56.297 2010 37.919 56.212 2009 37.698 56.255 2008 37.605 57.308 2007 37.532 56.933 2006 37.897 56.685 2005 38.206 56.129 2004 38.544 55.465 2003 38.872 55.630 2002 39.235 55.843 2001 39.646 56.018 2000 40.168 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini fell from 44.24 in 2004 to 41.16 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2025 41.16 46.230 2024 41.61 46.060 2023 41.42 45.900 2022 42.22 45.615 2021 42.04 45.433 2020 42.92 47.267 2019 42.50 46.277 2018 44.36 46.187 2017 44.48 46.467 2016 44.09 46.798 2015 44.74 46.876 2014 44.88 47.281 2013 44.27 46.887 2012 43.89 46.231 2011 44.66 45.679 2010 44.26 46.024 2009 44.81 47.071 2008 44.98 45.312 2007 44.07 45.246 2006 43.68 45.670 2005 43.66 46.265 2004 44.24 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini rose from 24.55 in 2000 to 34.2 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2025 34.20 5.08 2024 34.64 5.15 2023 34.61 5.21 2022 36.47 5.34 2021 34.15 6.04 2020 32.98 6.38 2019 28.22 5.36 2018 26.47 5.35 2017 24.54 5.59 2016 22.72 5.90 2015 23.43 6.41 2014 23.93 6.58 2013 24.56 6.71 2012 25.23 6.79 2011 26.11 6.90 2010 26.86 7.04 2009 27.49 6.67 2008 27.89 5.79 2007 28.24 6.00 2006 27.69 6.50 2005 27.22 7.09 2004 26.72 6.80 2003 26.26 6.95 2002 25.77 6.91 2001 25.24 6.96 2000 24.55 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
EswatiniWorld median
Eswatini fell from 36.46 in 2000 to 28.38 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Eswatini World median 2025 28.38 28.67 2024 28.59 29.04 2023 28.74 29.33 2022 29.38 29.67 2021 30.06 30.01 2020 31.09 30.54 2019 31.42 29.98 2018 32.25 30.15 2017 32.93 29.93 2016 33.58 29.91 2015 33.75 30.26 2014 33.89 30.47 2013 34.10 31.14 2012 34.29 31.00 2011 34.54 31.41 2010 34.60 32.37 2009 34.83 32.59 2008 35.03 31.76 2007 35.22 33.47 2006 35.53 34.27 2005 35.78 34.66 2004 36.01 35.51 2003 36.17 35.90 2002 36.24 35.96 2001 36.39 35.27 2000 36.46 35.67
03In context
Eswatini beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Eswatini and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mozambique | 66th | 73.49 | 61.84 | 6.628 | 83.68 |
 South Africa | =134th | 37.58 | 52.64 | 32.39 | 11.66 |
| Eswatini | 174th | 33.68 | 41.16 | 34.2 | 28.38 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Eswatini in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Eswatini is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median4
Statistics on which Eswatini does better than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1633.9519.16No earlier reading
Eswatini: 33.95 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 15th of 179 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6823.8816.68No earlier reading
Eswatini: 23.88 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 42nd of 139 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38447,44047,384▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 47,440 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 84th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1622.1622.16▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 22.16 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 91st of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median12
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$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 77th of 151 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7426,0906,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Eswatini: 6,090 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 80th of 151 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0727.6932.07No earlier reading
Eswatini: 27.69 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7652.3736.76No earlier reading
Eswatini: 52.37 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 41st of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.612.691.61▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 2.69 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3648.5253.36▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 48.52 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 182 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88532.944.885▲ Improved since 2015
Eswatini: 32.94 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Eswatini: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6651.1961.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Eswatini: 51.19 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 156th of 182 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8169.8441.81No earlier reading
Eswatini: 69.84 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 16th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 981498No real change since 2015
Eswatini: 14 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8354.3312.83No real change since 2015
Eswatini: 54.33 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
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 end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8826.7318.88Moved since 2015
Eswatini: 26.73 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 29th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
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.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0117.6615.01No earlier reading
Eswatini: 17.66 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 59th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3814.5514.38Moved since 2015
Eswatini: 14.55 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 91st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5158.7259.51Moved since 2015
Eswatini: 58.72 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 93rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8430.2231.84Moved since 2015
Eswatini: 30.22 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 99th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Eswatini
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2021), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2023), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2023), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2023), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2023), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2023), Statutory Minimum Wage (last 2021) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2023). 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
Work & Labour among Eswatini’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Eswatini’s 14th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Eswatini can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=134th4/4 keysThis page
Eswatini174th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Eswatini on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Eswatini is placed 174th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Eswatini?
33.68 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Eswatini?
41.16 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Eswatini compare with South Africa on work & labour?
South Africa is placed joint 134th of 182, and Eswatini 174th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: South Africa 37.58, Eswatini 33.68; Labour Income Share: South Africa 52.64, Eswatini 41.16; Unemployment Rate: South Africa 32.39, Eswatini 34.2; Vulnerable Employment: South Africa 11.66, Eswatini 28.38.
How have Eswatini’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 40.17 in 2000 to 33.68 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 44.24 in 2004 to 41.16 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 24.55 in 2000 to 34.2 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 36.46 in 2000 to 28.38 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Eswatini?
No current reading is published for Eswatini on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees, Statutory Minimum Wage and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Eswatini: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/eswatini/work