MigrantoCost of living in Eswatini
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Eswatini
Spending runs from SZL 717 a month in the poorest fifth to SZL 11,800 in the richest
Per person, whole country
SZL 2,250
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
SZL 717richest 20%
SZL 11,800
Where people spend money in Eswatini
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Eswatini in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 32.6% of spending here, or SZL 733 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 12.9 points more.
The richest fifth spends 16.5× the poorest
Spending runs from SZL 717 a month in the poorest fifth to SZL 11,800 in the richest, which is #3 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs SZL 14,700 here against SZL 14,400 in Botswana, the closest on price.
Typical spending takes 39% of the average wage
A typical person spends SZL 2,250 a month while the average take-home wage is SZL 5,830, so 61% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Eswatini compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Eswatini against other countries
Cheaper than 60% of countries
Where Eswatini sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs SZL 16,300 at world-middle prices costs SZL 14,700 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Eswatini
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Cost of living in Eswatini
SZL 717/mo
vs SZL 13,000 in your country
Take-home
SZL 4,100
vs SZL 19,500 in your country
Potential savings
SZL 3,380
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Eswatini?
A typical person in Eswatini spends about SZL 2,250 a month — around SZL 27,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Eswatini?
By spending, Eswatini ranks #142 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about SZL 2,250 a month, the poorest 20% about SZL 717 and the richest 20% about SZL 11,800. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Eswatini in US dollars?
The cost of living in Eswatini is about $138 a month, or roughly $1,656 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Eswatini?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about SZL 717 a month per person, a typical one around SZL 2,250, and a comfortable life around SZL 3,650. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Eswatini?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about SZL 733 a month (33% of spending). Then come transport (SZL 277, 12%) and housing (SZL 228, 10%).
Is the average salary in Eswatini enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about SZL 2,250 a month, while the average take-home pay in Eswatini is about SZL 5,830. For more on incomes, see salaries in Eswatini.
Is Eswatini an expensive country to live in?
No. Eswatini is more expensive than 23% of countries worldwide and ranks 19th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
What currency is used in Eswatini?
Eswatini uses the Swazi Lilangeni (SZL). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Eswatini
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