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Economy of Eswatini vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eswatini has a GDP of $5.16B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 163/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $2.31B in government debt (44.9% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% of GDP) in the United States.

Eswatini vs United States GDP by year

Eswatini
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini United States
2025 $5,160,679,613 $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $4,858,885,841 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $4,621,191,262 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $4,746,660,274 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $4,807,069,277 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $4,134,677,810 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $4,617,018,959 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $4,643,751,059 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $4,462,640,651 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $3,722,306,117 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $3,908,217,914 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $4,285,065,665 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $4,463,396,204 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $4,747,813,067 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $4,722,912,047 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $4,360,714,359 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $3,525,213,502 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $3,235,921,171 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $3,391,122,887 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $3,215,307,901 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $3,097,946,371 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $2,710,331,785 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $2,149,632,433 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $1,393,945,031 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $1,502,870,486 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $1,697,161,558 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $1,547,888,496 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $1,576,908,856 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $1,716,714,070 $8,577,552,000,000
1996 $1,602,741,834 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $1,698,989,464 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $1,419,294,254 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $1,357,189,552 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $1,284,759,928 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $1,156,135,718 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $1,114,694,041 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $696,921,542 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $692,026,455 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $584,126,092 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $449,140,318 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $360,079,419 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $494,483,409 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $555,336,146 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $537,568,059 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $570,774,825 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $541,976,853 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $412,093,134 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $340,630,085 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $304,060,076 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $272,550,068 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $288,299,789 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $264,320,941 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $221,915,128 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $146,736,479 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $136,462,081 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $112,139,955 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $105,419,958 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $79,799,968 $940,225,000,000
1967 $74,759,970 $859,620,034,483
1966 $76,859,969 $813,032,758,621
1965 $70,279,972 $741,904,862,069
1964 $64,980,554 $684,144,620,690
1963 $54,129,438 $637,058,551,724
1962 $45,927,962 $603,639,413,793
1961 $43,026,043 $561,940,310,345
1960 $35,076,846 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs United States by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,108 - $90,027 -
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $86,143 $85,810
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $53,410 $53,297
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $832 - $22,857 -
1988 $865 - $21,417 -
1987 $765 - $20,039 -
1986 $611 - $19,071 -
1985 $510 - $18,237 -
1984 $726 - $17,121 -
1983 $843 - $15,544 -
1982 $843 - $14,434 -
1981 $925 - $13,976 -
1980 $908 - $12,613 -
1979 $714 - $11,674 -
1978 $610 - $10,565 -
1977 $563 - $9,453 -
1976 $521 - $8,592 -
1975 $568 - $7,801 -
1974 $536 - $7,226 -
1973 $463 - $6,726 -
1972 $315 - $6,094 -
1971 $301 - $5,609 -
1970 $254.2 - $5,234 -
1969 $245.2 - $5,020 -
1968 $190.4 - $4,685 -
1967 $182.8 - $4,326 -
1966 $192.7 - $4,136 -
1965 $181 - $3,818 -
1964 $171.6 - $3,565 -
1963 $146.4 - $3,366 -
1962 $127.1 - $3,236 -
1961 $121.8 - $3,059 -
1960 $101.6 - $3,000 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/united-states | CC BY

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $4,108, ranking 131/197, compared to $90,027 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Eswatini United States
Gross domestic product
$5.16B
2025
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
163/197
2025
1/197
2025
GDP growth
4.19%
2024-2025
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,108
2025
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2025
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$2.31B
2025
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
44.9%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,843
2025
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
121/185
2025
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,770
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
34.3%
2023
4.28%
2025
Population
1276995
344434632

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35.7% 44.9% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 33.6% 40.1% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 31.5% 39.4% 37.5% 120%
2022 28.9% 39.5% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 29.3% 37.3% 43.2% 125%
2020 32.2% 37.7% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 32.8% 30.5% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 31.6% 26.5% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 33.6% 21.7% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 34% 20.1% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 34.5% 16% 35% 105.4%
2014 32.7% 14.1% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 28.8% 15.2% 35.8% 105%
2012 27.1% 14.8% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 25.1% 14.6% 38.8% 100%
2010 31.1% 14.2% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 33.9% 10.6% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 33.4% 14.6% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 30.4% 16.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 27.6% 14.7% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 29% 13.6% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 31% 15% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 25.9% 17.7% 34% 59%
2002 26.5% 17.2% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 25.6% 21.7% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 24.7% 18.2% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 25.8% 16.7% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 22% 15.6% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 20.7% 12.7% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 22.5% 11.5% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 19.9% 12.5% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 23.4% 13.1% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 23% 15% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 24.7% 16.6% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 19.6% 20.1% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 18.2% 20.4% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 15.8% 26.8% 33.7% 61.6%
1988 15.6% 27.5% 33.7% 61.3%
1987 17% 36.1% 34.3% 60.6%
1986 19.8% 44% 34.8% 58.9%
1985 22.3% 45.5% 34.5% 55.4%
1984 22.2% 29.7% 34.3% 50.6%
1983 23.2% 28.7% 35.7% 48.9%
1982 24% 29.2% 35.8% 45.9%
1981 23.8% 24.3% 33.9% 41.1%
1980 19.6% 27.2% 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/united-states | CC BY

In 2025, Eswatini's government spending was $1.84B, accounting for 35.7% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.9% in Eswatini and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 118/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini United States
2025 -6.14% -6.82%
2024 -1.06% -7.86%
2023 -0.66% -7.89%
2022 -5.27% -3.72%
2021 -4.55% -11.5%
2020 -4.21% -14.1%
2019 -6.23% -5.81%
2018 -6.59% -5.33%
2017 -5.64% -4.79%
2016 -8.36% -4.36%
2015 -5.89% -3.53%
2014 -1.16% -4.03%
2013 0.57% -4.56%
2012 3.39% -8.11%
2011 -3.88% -9.72%
2010 -9.34% -11%
2009 -3% -13.2%
2008 1.58% -6.61%
2007 2.37% -2.91%
2006 8.67% -2.04%
2005 -1.66% -3.07%
2004 -3.97% -4.24%
2003 -2.11% -4.77%
2002 -3.69% -3.82%
2001 -2.24% -0.54%
2000 -1.19% 3.62%
1999 -1.23% 2.71%
1998 1.05% 2.18%
1997 2.06% 0.88%
1996 -0.97% -0.46%
1995 0.87% -1.7%
1994 -3.43% -2.05%
1993 -3.15% -3.35%
1992 -2.76% -3.98%
1991 3.28% -2.72%
1990 5.47% -1.64%
1989 5.82% -0.8%
1988 3.23% -1.06%
1987 2.03% -1.53%
1986 -2.41% -2.81%
1985 -1.33% -2.63%
1984 1.25% -2.97%
1983 -0.6% -4.26%
1982 0.11% -3.78%
1981 -4.29% -1.58%
1980 6.55% -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.1T, or 6.82% of GDP.

Over the past 46 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 42 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 1.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.01% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini United States
2024 - 2.95%
2023 - 4.12%
2022 - 8%
2021 - 4.7%
2020 - 1.23%
2019 2.6% 1.81%
2018 4.82% 2.44%
2017 6.22% 2.13%
2016 7.85% 1.26%
2015 4.95% 0.12%
2014 5.68% 1.62%
2013 5.62% 1.46%
2012 8.94% 2.07%
2011 6.11% 3.16%
2010 4.51% 1.64%
2009 7.45% -0.36%
2008 12.7% 3.84%
2007 8.08% 2.85%
2006 5.3% 3.23%
2005 4.77% 3.39%
2004 3.45% 2.68%
2003 7.29% 2.27%
2002 12% 1.59%
2001 5.94% 2.83%
2000 12.2% 3.38%
1999 6.09% 2.19%
1998 8.11% 1.55%
1997 7.13% 2.34%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.86%, compared with 2.15% in the United States. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Eswatini
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $35.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.61M
Machinery & equipment $201K
Metals $170K
Wood & paper products $73K
Precious metals & jewellery $24K
Miscellaneous $18K
Chemicals & pharma $12K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $14.4M
Chemicals & pharma $13.2M
Metals $7.64M
Wood & paper products $5.61M
Raw agricultural goods $3.86M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.61M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.77M
Miscellaneous $1.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $893K
Animal & marine products $547K

Balance of trade

Eswatini United States
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$542M
2024
$903B
2025
Service exports
$234M
2024
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
2024
11%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eswatini United States
Economic freedom 57.5 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 27/197
Property rights 42.5 91.6
Government integrity 29.7 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 76.4
Tax burden 78.6 75.3
Government spending 71 57.9
Fiscal health 87.5 18.5
Business freedom 49.9 88.6
Labor freedom 55.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 76.8 84.2
Trade freedom 73.6 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eswatini
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eswatini United States
2026 57.5 72.8
2025 56.4 70.2
2024 55.6 70.1
2023 54.9 70.6
2022 51.4 72.1
2021 55.1 74.8
2020 55.3 76.6
2019 54.7 76.8
2018 55.9 75.7
2017 61.1 75.1
2016 59.7 75.4
2015 59.9 76.2
2014 61.2 75.5
2013 57.2 76
2012 57.2 76.3
2011 59.1 77.8
2010 57.4 78
2009 59.1 80.7
2008 58.4 81
2007 60.1 81.2
2006 61.4 81.2
2005 59.4 79.9
2004 58.6 78.7
2003 59.6 78.2
2002 60.9 78.4
2001 63.6 79.1
2000 62.6 76.4
1999 62.1 75.5
1998 62 75.4
1997 59.4 75.6
1996 58.6 76.7
1995 63.3 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eswatini is 57.5, ranking 116/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eswatini United States
Services, % of GDP
52.4%
2025
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.41%
2025
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.69B
2025
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,390
2025
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$537M
2024
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
157/177
2024
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
$21.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.88%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
2024
21.5%
2024

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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.