Swaziland is a small landlocked country with an economy based largely on agriculture and agro-industry. Sugar, citrus and wood pulp are the major sectors, and asbestos and coal are the major minerals. Subsistence agriculture, practiced mainly in the Middleveld and Lubombo plateau employs about 60% of the population. Soft drink concentrate, wood pulp and sugar are the main exports. The Swazi economy is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives 90% of its imports and to which it sends half of its exports. Average real GDP grew at 3.6% between 1988 and 1998. However, political change in South Africa has eroded some of Swaziland’s advantage in attracting foreign capital, on which much growth has depended in the past.

Swaziland at a glance:
part 1, part 2