III.

Population

Nearly all of the people in Swaziland are ethnic Swazi, although there are small populations of Zulu, Tsonga, Asians, and Europeans. About 62 percent of the country's land has been set aside by the monarchy for exclusive use by the Swazi people. Much of the remaining land is owned by Europeans or foreign companies.

The population (2007 estimate) is 1,133,066, giving Swaziland a population density of 66 persons per sq km (171 per sq mi). In 2007 the annual population growth rate was estimated at -0.3 percent. The capital and principal town is Mbabane (population, 2000 estimate, 73,000). Lobamba is the traditional royal capital. Some 23 percent of the population lives in urban areas.

About 86 percent of Swaziland's people are Christians, and 11 percent hold traditional religious beliefs. The official languages of Swaziland are siSwati, a Bantu language, and English, in which most government business is conducted. In 2007 life expectancy at birth was estimated to be 32.6 years for women and 31.8 years for men.

In 2000 some 216,977 children attended primary schools, and some 60,830 were enrolled in secondary schools. The University of Swaziland (1964) is in Kwaluseni. The literacy rate is estimated to be 83 percent.