Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini has recorded remarkable socio-economic growth and resilience over the past four decades under the reign of His Majesty King Mswati III, Central Statistical Office (CSO) Director Thembinkosi Tshabalala has said.
The Director shared the remarks in a video aired on the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development’s social media platforms on April 20, 2026, reflecting on 40 years of national progress driven by data-informed planning and policy.
He said the country’s transformation was clearly reflected in key national indicators tracked by the CSO over the years, including population growth, economic expansion and improved health outcomes.
According to Tshabalala, Eswatini’s population has grown steadily from 681 000 recorded during the 1986 national census to over 1.1 million in the 1997, 2007 and 2017 census cycles. Projections for the 2027 digital census place the population at approximately 1.2 million.
He noted that preparations for the upcoming census were at an advanced stage, with the introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expected to enhance accuracy and efficiency in data collection.
On the economic front, Thembinkosi Tshabalala highlighted significant expansion, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising from E1.5 billion in 1986 to an estimated E89 billion in 2027.
“This growth demonstrates the strength and resilience of the country’s economy over time, guided by informed decision-making and strategic planning,” he said.
The CSO Director added that the office continues to monitor inflation and broader economic trends to support government planning and policy direction.
Turning to social development, Tshabalala said Eswatini had made notable progress in improving life expectancy, which declined sharply in the early 2000s due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic but has since recovered from 59 years to 68 years.
He said the country had also made significant strides in combating HIV/AIDS, achieving the global 95-95-95 targets. Currently, 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent are on treatment, and 95 per cent have achieved viral suppression. New infections have dropped from about 21 000 in 2000 to around 4 000 by 2023.
“Eswatini’s response to HIV/AIDS stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnerships, commitment and the use of data to guide interventions,” he said.
Tshabalala further highlighted improvements in maternal and child health, noting that institutional maternal mortality has declined from 140 to 75 deaths per 100 000 live births by 2024.
He said the country had also strengthened its response to diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, while expanding access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been decentralised, with nurses now able to prescribe treatment at community level.
The CSO Director acknowledged the role of international partnerships, including support from organisations such as the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), PEPFAR and Heart to Heart International, in strengthening laboratory services and improving access to medicines.
On youth development, Tshabalala described young people as the cornerstone of the country’s future, pointing to initiatives such as the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund as key in addressing unemployment and promoting economic participation.
He emphasised that the CSO would continue to play a critical role in supporting national development through the production of reliable and timely data.
“As we look to the future, innovation and evidence-based decision-making will remain central to building a more resilient and inclusive nation,” he said.
Tshabalala said the 2027 digital census would mark another milestone in strengthening the country’s statistical systems and ensuring that development planning remains firmly grounded in accurate data.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
