The State of the Youth 2026 Report provides a comprehensive picture of young people in Eswatini
The State of the Youth Report 2026 offers the most comprehensive assessment of the situation of young people in Eswatini in over a decade. Produced through a collaborative process led by the Government of Eswatini in partnership with UNFPA, the report evaluates progress made under the National Youth Policy (2020) while identifying the challenges that continue to affect young people aged 15–34. Drawing on national surveys, census data, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and validation workshops, the report places the experiences and aspirations of young people at the centre of national development planning.
The report reveals that Eswatini is home to approximately 429,987 young people, representing 35 per cent of the country's population, while nearly 73 per cent of the population is under the age of 35. With the youth population projected to increase by almost 16 per cent by 2030, the report underscores the urgency of investing in education, health, employment and leadership opportunities to harness the country's demographic dividend.
While the report highlights encouraging progress over the past decade, it also presents a balanced picture of persistent inequalities. Youth literacy now exceeds 94 per cent, adolescent birth rates have declined from 89 to 78 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19, youth representation in Parliament has increased, and entrepreneurship among young people continues to grow, with 28 per cent of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises owned by people under the age of 35.
However, significant challenges remain. Nearly one in two young people is unemployed, with unemployment rising to 56.7 per cent among those aged 15–24, while more than one-third of young people are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The report also highlights ongoing concerns around HIV, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, mental health, gender-based violence and unequal access to opportunities, particularly for young women and rural youth.
Organised around the nine strategic pillars of the National Youth Policy, the report examines youth outcomes in education and training; innovation, enterprise and employment; social competence; health and well-being; food and nutrition security; social capital; governance and leadership; capacity and infrastructure; and research, monitoring and learning. The findings provide a robust evidence base to guide national planning and strengthen youth-responsive policies and programmes.
Looking ahead, the report identifies six priority actions to accelerate youth development. These include expanding equitable access to quality education and skills development, creating decent employment opportunities and supporting youth entrepreneurship, strengthening youth-friendly health services, promoting meaningful youth participation and leadership, investing in climate-smart agriculture and food security, and improving coordination, financing and data systems to better respond to the needs of young people.
