Eswatini Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Eswatini's poverty rate was 44.50% in 2016, ranked 79th globally. This represents a 23.5% decrease from 2015. Data from World Bank, covering 1994–2016.
Overview
Eswatini's poverty rate stood at 44.50% in 2016, a decline of +13.70pp from 2009. Eswatini ranked 79th globally.
Eswatini’s poverty rate fell dramatically between 1994 and 2016, declining from an all‑time peak of 89.30 % in 1994 to a trough of 44.50 % in 2016, the lowest level recorded in the World Bank series and ranking the kingdom 79th globally. This 44.80‑percentage‑point reduction over a 22‑year span reflects sustained policy efforts and macro‑economic adjustments, yet the 2016 figure remains markedly higher than the 39.00 % recorded for Ghana, a peer with a comparable income profile, and only modestly lower than Uganda’s 60.10 % poverty incidence. The downward trajectory suggests that continued investment in social protection, rural development, and inclusive growth could further compress the poverty gap, while adverse shocks such as commodity price volatility or fiscal constraints would risk stalling progress.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 44.50% | −13.70pp | #79 |
| 2009 | 58.20% | −6.80pp | #80 |
| 2000 | 65.00% | −24.30pp | #52 |
| 1994 | 89.30% | – | #30 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Eswatini matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Eswatini's poverty rate was 44.50% in 2016. Ranked 79th globally. This represents a 23.5% decrease from the previous year.
Eswatini's poverty rate peaked at 89.30% in 1994.
The lowest poverty rate in Eswatini was 44.50% in 2016.
Eswatini ranks 79th globally in poverty rate as of 2016.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Eswatini in 2016 was 44.50%. This ranks 79th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_eswatini_poverty-rate,
title = {Eswatini Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/eswatini/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}