Urban Population: Eswatini
Eswatini's urban population is currently 26.3% as of 2024. # Eswatini Urban Population Eswatini's urban population reached 26.
Current (2024)
26.3%
+1.7% y/y
Peak (2024)
26.3%
Low (1960)
4.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Eswatini
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Eswatini
Analysis# Eswatini Urban Population
Eswatini's urban population reached 26.25% in 2024, marking an all-time high for the nation. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 4.056% of the population lived in urban areas—a 547.2% increase over six decades. Despite substantial growth, Eswatini remains predominantly rural, with three-quarters of its population still residing outside urban centers.
The 2010s and early 2020s reveal accelerating urbanization. From 2015 to 2024, the urban share grew from 23.266% to 26.25%, with each year showing consistent upward movement. The trend shows no sign of plateauing, suggesting ongoing rural-to-urban migration driven by economic opportunities and infrastructure development in urban centers. Continued urbanization appears likely in the coming years.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26.3% | +1.71% |
| 2023 | 25.8% | +1.62% |
| 2022 | 25.4% | +1.52% |
| 2021 | 25.0% | +1.42% |
| 2020 | 24.7% | +1.31% |
| 2019 | 24.3% | +1.20% |
| 2018 | 24.1% | +1.06% |
| 2017 | 23.8% | +1.18% |
| 2016 | 23.5% | +1.13% |
| 2015 | 23.3% | +1.04% |
| 2014 | 23.0% | +0.94% |
| 2013 | 22.8% | +0.83% |
| 2012 | 22.6% | +0.72% |
| 2011 | 22.5% | +0.58% |
| 2010 | 22.3% | +0.45% |
| 2009 | 22.2% | +0.29% |
| 2008 | 22.2% | +0.13% |
| 2007 | 22.1% | -0.05% |
| 2006 | 22.2% | -0.27% |
| 2005 | 22.2% | -0.44% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 22.3% | -0.55% |
| 2003 | 22.4% | -0.61% |
| 2002 | 22.6% | -0.62% |
| 2001 | 22.7% | -0.57% |
| 2000 | 22.8% | -0.48% |
| 1999 | 23.0% | -0.34% |
| 1998 | 23.0% | -0.15% |
| 1997 | 23.1% | +0.00% |
| 1996 | 23.1% | +0.03% |
| 1995 | 23.1% | +0.06% |
| 1994 | 23.0% | +0.08% |
| 1993 | 23.0% | +0.10% |
| 1992 | 23.0% | +0.13% |
| 1991 | 23.0% | +0.15% |
| 1990 | 22.9% | +0.17% |
| 1989 | 22.9% | +0.19% |
| 1988 | 22.9% | +0.22% |
| 1987 | 22.8% | +0.27% |
| 1986 | 22.7% | +0.98% |
| 1985 | 22.5% | +2.05% |
| 1984 | 22.1% | +2.99% |
| 1983 | 21.4% | +3.81% |
| 1982 | 20.6% | +4.52% |
| 1981 | 19.7% | +5.10% |
| 1980 | 18.8% | +5.52% |
| 1979 | 17.8% | +5.74% |
| 1978 | 16.8% | +5.71% |
| 1977 | 15.9% | +5.43% |
| 1976 | 15.1% | +5.56% |
| 1975 | 14.3% | +6.20% |
| 1974 | 13.5% | +6.79% |
| 1973 | 12.6% | +7.36% |
| 1972 | 11.8% | +7.88% |
| 1971 | 10.9% | +8.35% |
| 1970 | 10.1% | +8.71% |
| 1969 | 9.2% | +8.97% |
| 1968 | 8.5% | +9.00% |
| 1967 | 7.8% | +8.76% |
| 1966 | 7.2% | +8.72% |
| 1965 | 6.6% | +9.17% |
| 1964 | 6.0% | +9.69% |
| 1963 | 5.5% | +10.18% |
| 1962 | 5.0% | +10.71% |
| 1961 | 4.5% | +11.17% |
| 1960 | 4.1% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Eswatini
Compare Urban Population
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data