MBABANE – Eswatini’s youth are more educated than any generation before them – yet most remain without work and disillusioned about the country’s economic prospects.
A new Afrobarometer report reveals that more than half of young citizens are unemployed and many are now looking beyond national borders in search of better opportunities.
The report, titled ‘Eswatini Youth Intent on Employment, Cast Eyes Abroad for Better Prospects’ (Dispatch No. 1064, October 24, 2025), paints a sobering picture of a generation ready to work, but trapped in an economy too small to absorb them.
The Afrobarometer 2025 survey – conducted in April and May among 1 200 adult citizens – found that 53 per cent of youth aged 18–35 are not employed, but actively looking for work. Another 19 per cent are unemployed and not seeking jobs, while only 28 per cent report being employed – 18 per cent full-time and 10 per cent part-time.
By contrast, just 22 per cent of citizens aged above 55 are job-hunting. The report highlights a worrying trend: Despite government and donor initiatives, job creation continues to lag far behind population growth.
Each year, 25 000 young emaSwati enter the labour market, yet only about 1 000 new jobs are created, according to the World Bank.
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Youth show strong entrepreneurial ambitions
MBABANE – Despite high unemployment, Eswatini’s youth show strong entrepreneurial ambition.
Half (50 per cent) of respondents say they would prefer to start their own businesses rather than seek formal employment.
This finding echoes the growing popularity of initiatives like the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF), which provides collateral-free loans of up to E200 000 to youth-led start-ups and the Eswatini Youth Development Programme (EYDP), which focuses on graduate placement and artisanal training.
However, the report notes that entrepreneurship remains limited by restricted access to capital, markets and mentorship. For many, the cost of registering businesses and obtaining licences also remains a barrier.
When asked where government should increase spending to support youth, 49 per cent of respondents prioritised job creation, 20 per cent cited job training and 17 per cent called for greater access to business loans.
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Government gets poor grades
MBABANE – Afrobarometer’s findings reveal widespread frustration among young people regarding government performance.
Eighty-nine per cent of youth said government is doing ‘fairly badly’ or ‘very badly’ in keeping prices stable, while 86 per cent disapproved of its job creation record.
Negative reviews also extended to corruption (72 per cent), management of the economy (72 per cent), and basic health services (72 per cent). Education (57 per cent) and infrastructure (65 per cent) fared only slightly better.
The only area with a less harsh review was the provision of water and sanitation, where 47 per cent expressed dissatisfaction – the lowest disapproval score on the list.
While youth discontent peaked in 2022, the report notes that the 2025 ratings remain far more negative than those recorded in 2021, showing a lingering erosion of confidence in public institutions.
More than half of respondents – 54 per cent of youth and 55 per cent nationally – believe Eswatini is ‘headed in the wrong direction.’
Only 11 per cent describe the country’s economic situation as good, while 70 per cent say it is bad. Similarly, 45 per cent of young respondents say their living conditions are poor, compared to just 23 per cent who view them positively.
Still, youth are more optimistic than their elders. Sixteen per cent believe the economy has improved over the past 12 months, while 38 per cent expect better conditions next year – a notable rebound from just 14 per cent in 2022.
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About 71 per cent of youth contemplate emigrating
MBABANE – Perhaps the most striking revelation in the Afrobarometer report is that half (50 per cent) of Eswatini’s youth have considered emigrating.
Of these, 24 per cent say they have thought about it ‘a lot,’ marking a 10-point increase since 2018.
For most, the motive is economic. Seventy-one per cent cited the search for better job opportunities as their main reason for considering migration. Another 12 per cent want to escape poverty and five per cent hope to pursue education abroad.
Preferred destinations include South Africa, England, Ireland and Taiwan – countries viewed as offering both stability and greater professional prospects.
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