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Economy of Eswatini vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eswatini has a GDP of $5.16B compared to $15.1B for Namibia, ranking 163/197 and 146/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $2.31B in government debt (44.9% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (70.2% of GDP) in Namibia.

Eswatini vs Namibia GDP by year

Eswatini
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini Namibia
2025 $5,160,679,613 $15,080,340,654
2024 $4,858,885,841 $13,641,190,683
2023 $4,621,191,262 $12,522,012,874
2022 $4,746,660,274 $12,569,449,123
2021 $4,807,069,277 $12,402,486,184
2020 $4,134,677,810 $10,583,748,542
2019 $4,617,018,959 $12,541,928,303
2018 $4,643,751,059 $13,682,019,076
2017 $4,462,640,651 $12,895,153,371
2016 $3,722,306,117 $10,722,018,732
2015 $3,908,217,914 $11,335,161,084
2014 $4,285,065,665 $12,435,430,970
2013 $4,463,396,204 $12,043,307,277
2012 $4,747,813,067 $13,042,053,592
2011 $4,722,912,047 $12,523,359,441
2010 $4,360,714,359 $11,431,412,421
2009 $3,525,213,502 $8,938,847,189
2008 $3,235,921,171 $8,607,431,497
2007 $3,391,122,887 $8,839,536,476
2006 $3,215,307,901 $8,001,779,551
2005 $3,097,946,371 $7,248,374,838
2004 $2,710,331,785 $6,609,205,995
2003 $2,149,632,433 $4,926,439,384
2002 $1,393,945,031 $3,349,169,826
2001 $1,502,870,486 $3,557,341,215
2000 $1,697,161,558 $3,922,232,165
1999 $1,547,888,496 $3,868,551,730
1998 $1,576,908,856 $3,873,109,866
1997 $1,716,714,070 $4,154,989,950
1996 $1,602,741,834 $3,989,163,197
1995 $1,698,989,464 $3,978,514,206
1994 $1,419,294,254 $3,666,503,530
1993 $1,357,189,552 $3,251,188,833
1992 $1,284,759,928 $3,429,521,699
1991 $1,156,135,718 $2,996,869,281
1990 $1,114,694,041 $2,789,921,854
1989 $696,921,542 $2,535,135,798
1988 $692,026,455 $2,495,094,746
1987 $584,126,092 $2,300,068,217
1986 $449,140,318 $1,809,048,527
1985 $360,079,419 $1,608,237,350
1984 $494,483,409 $1,951,260,038
1983 $555,336,146 $2,297,400,688
1982 $537,568,059 $2,118,710,248
1981 $570,774,825 $2,249,908,578
1980 $541,976,853 $2,421,990,338
1979 $412,093,134 -
1978 $340,630,085 -
1977 $304,060,076 -
1976 $272,550,068 -
1975 $288,299,789 -
1974 $264,320,941 -
1973 $221,915,128 -
1972 $146,736,479 -
1971 $136,462,081 -
1970 $112,139,955 -
1969 $105,419,958 -
1968 $79,799,968 -
1967 $74,759,970 -
1966 $76,859,969 -
1965 $70,279,972 -
1964 $64,980,554 -
1963 $54,129,438 -
1962 $45,927,962 -
1961 $43,026,043 -
1960 $35,076,846 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs Namibia by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,108 - $4,876 -
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $4,502 $11,687
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $4,226 $11,251
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $832 - $1,967 -
1988 $865 - $2,063 -
1987 $765 - $1,969 -
1986 $611 - $1,599 -
1985 $510 - $1,466 -
1984 $726 - $1,830 -
1983 $843 - $2,214 -
1982 $843 - $2,097 -
1981 $925 - $2,267 -
1980 $908 - $2,468 -
1979 $714 - - -
1978 $610 - - -
1977 $563 - - -
1976 $521 - - -
1975 $568 - - -
1974 $536 - - -
1973 $463 - - -
1972 $315 - - -
1971 $301 - - -
1970 $254.2 - - -
1969 $245.2 - - -
1968 $190.4 - - -
1967 $182.8 - - -
1966 $192.7 - - -
1965 $181 - - -
1964 $171.6 - - -
1963 $146.4 - - -
1962 $127.1 - - -
1961 $121.8 - - -
1960 $101.6 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $4,108, ranking 131/197, compared to $4,876 in Namibia, ranking 125/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Eswatini Namibia
Gross domestic product
$5.16B
2025
$15.1B
2025
GDP rank
163/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP growth
4.19%
2024-2025
1.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,108
2025
$4,876
2025
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2025
125/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$2.31B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
44.9%
2025
70.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,843
2025
$3,425
2025
Government debt per person rank
121/185
2025
97/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,770
2026
$3,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
$2.48B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
39.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
34.3%
2023
19.9%
2018
Population
1276995
3185686

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35.7% 44.9% 39.4% 70.2%
2024 33.6% 40.1% 39.6% 69.8%
2023 31.5% 39.4% 37% 67.9%
2022 28.9% 39.5% 36.6% 70.1%
2021 29.3% 37.3% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 32.2% 37.7% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 32.8% 30.5% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 31.6% 26.5% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 33.6% 21.7% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 34% 20.1% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 34.5% 16% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 32.7% 14.1% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 28.8% 15.2% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 27.1% 14.8% 35% 24.6%
2011 25.1% 14.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 31.1% 14.2% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 33.9% 10.6% 32% 15.9%
2008 33.4% 14.6% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 30.4% 16.1% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 27.6% 14.7% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 29% 13.6% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 31% 15% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 25.9% 17.7% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 26.5% 17.2% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 25.6% 21.7% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 24.7% 18.2% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 25.8% 16.7% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 22% 15.6% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 20.7% 12.7% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 22.5% 11.5% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 19.9% 12.5% 29.6% 18%
1994 23.4% 13.1% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 23% 15% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 24.7% 16.6% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 19.6% 20.1% 33% 11.8%
1990 18.2% 20.4% 30.2% 12.9%
1989 15.8% 26.8% - -
1988 15.6% 27.5% - -
1987 17% 36.1% - -
1986 19.8% 44% - -
1985 22.3% 45.5% - -
1984 22.2% 29.7% - -
1983 23.2% 28.7% - -
1982 24% 29.2% - -
1981 23.8% 24.3% - -
1980 19.6% 27.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

In 2025, Eswatini's government spending was $1.84B, accounting for 35.7% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.94B, or 39.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.9% in Eswatini and 70.2% in Namibia, ranking 118/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini Namibia
2025 -6.14% -6.46%
2024 -1.06% -3.84%
2023 -0.66% -3.14%
2022 -5.27% -6.33%
2021 -4.55% -8.68%
2020 -4.21% -8.07%
2019 -6.23% -5.49%
2018 -6.59% -5.09%
2017 -5.64% -4.99%
2016 -8.36% -9.3%
2015 -5.89% -8.3%
2014 -1.16% -6.44%
2013 0.57% -4.69%
2012 3.39% -3.1%
2011 -3.88% -7.09%
2010 -9.34% -4.98%
2009 -3% -0.4%
2008 1.58% 3.48%
2007 2.37% 6.01%
2006 8.67% 3.41%
2005 -1.66% -0.31%
2004 -3.97% -2.67%
2003 -2.11% -4.47%
2002 -3.69% -1.38%
2001 -2.24% -2.01%
2000 -1.19% -0.79%
1999 -1.23% -1.88%
1998 1.05% -2.76%
1997 2.06% -2.38%
1996 -0.97% -3.7%
1995 0.87% -1.74%
1994 -3.43% -0.57%
1993 -3.15% -2.73%
1992 -2.76% -2.55%
1991 3.28% -1.59%
1990 5.47% 1.08%
1989 5.82% -
1988 3.23% -
1987 2.03% -
1986 -2.41% -
1985 -1.33% -
1984 1.25% -
1983 -0.6% -
1982 0.11% -
1981 -4.29% -
1980 6.55% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

In 2025, Eswatini's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $317M, equivalent to 6.14% of GDP. This compares to Namibia's deficit of $974M, or 6.46% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini Namibia
2025 - 3.5%
2024 - 4.2%
2023 - 5.9%
2022 - 6.1%
2021 - 3.6%
2020 - 2.2%
2019 2.6% 3.7%
2018 4.82% 4.3%
2017 6.22% 6.1%
2016 7.85% 6.7%
2015 4.95% 3.4%
2014 5.68% 5.3%
2013 5.62% 5.6%
2012 8.94% 6.7%
2011 6.11% 5%
2010 4.51% 4.9%
2009 7.45% 9.5%
2008 12.7% 9.1%
2007 8.08% 6.5%
2006 5.3% 5%
2005 4.77% 2.3%
2004 3.45% 4.1%
2003 7.29% 7.2%
2002 12% 12.7%
2001 5.94% 10.2%
2000 12.2% 10.2%
1999 6.09% 9.4%
1998 8.11% 6.6%
1997 7.13% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.86%, compared with 6.7% in Namibia. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and 3.5% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Eswatini
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $15M
Wood & paper products $2.92M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.22M
Machinery & equipment $45K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Miscellaneous $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $46K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23K
Animal & marine products $19K
Metals $18K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Eswatini Namibia
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
-$1.83B
2024
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
-13.4%
2024
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$542M
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$234M
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
63.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
2024
44.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Eswatini Namibia
Economic freedom 57.5 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 95/197
Property rights 42.5 63.1
Government integrity 29.7 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 67.2
Tax burden 78.6 66.4
Government spending 71 57.1
Fiscal health 87.5 60.5
Business freedom 49.9 58
Labor freedom 55.2 62.7
Monetary freedom 76.8 76.1
Trade freedom 73.6 69.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eswatini
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eswatini Namibia
2026 57.5 60.2
2025 56.4 58.7
2024 55.6 57.5
2023 54.9 57.7
2022 51.4 59.2
2021 55.1 62.6
2020 55.3 60.9
2019 54.7 58.7
2018 55.9 58.5
2017 61.1 62.5
2016 59.7 61.9
2015 59.9 59.6
2014 61.2 59.4
2013 57.2 60.3
2012 57.2 61.9
2011 59.1 62.7
2010 57.4 62.2
2009 59.1 62.4
2008 58.4 61.4
2007 60.1 63.5
2006 61.4 60.7
2005 59.4 61.4
2004 58.6 62.4
2003 59.6 67.3
2002 60.9 65.1
2001 63.6 64.8
2000 62.6 66.7
1999 62.1 66.1
1998 62 66.1
1997 59.4 61.6
1996 58.6 -
1995 63.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eswatini is 57.5, ranking 116/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eswatini Namibia
Services, % of GDP
52.4%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
28.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.41%
2025
6.99%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.69B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,390
2025
$11,260
2025
Total reserves including gold
$537M
2024
$3.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
157/177
2024
119/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
-$1.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
$1.93B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
$44.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.88%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
2024
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/namibia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.