BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
SIPHOCOSINI — Eswatini’s youthful population has been described as one of the country’s greatest strategic assets, with approximately 73 per cent of the population below the age of 35.
The figure was highlighted during the 2026 International Youth Day commemoration held at Siphocosini, where Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima delivered a speech on behalf of Prime Minister Russell Dlamini.
Speaking to young people gathered for the commemoration, Nzima said the country’s youthful population presented a strong foundation for future economic growth and national transformation. According to the State of the Youth Report, an estimated 430000 young people between the ages of 15 and 34 make up about 35 per cent of Eswatini’s population.
Nzima said the figures should not be viewed merely as statistics, but as an indication of the potential that young people hold in shaping the country’s future. He said young emaSwati aspire to decent work, quality education, entrepreneurship, innovation, social inclusion and meaningful participation in national development.
“History has consistently shown that nations achieve lasting prosperity not because of the abundance of their natural resources, but because of the quality of their human capital” the Minister said. He identified young people as an important part of that human capital, stressing the need for government and its partners to create an environment where young people can realise their aspirations.
The Minister said opportunities should not be limited by geography, disability, gender or socio-economic circumstances. He further pointed to the National Youth Policy and the National Development Plan 2023/24–2027/28, which place youth empowerment at the centre of national development.
He also said the government should go beyond preparing young people for employment and instead empower them to become entrepreneurs, innovators, job creators and future leaders. Nzima also highlighted the concept of the demographic dividend, noting that a youthful population can become a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth when supported through investment in education, health, skills development, digital literacy and employment opportunities.
Understanding the realities and aspirations of young emaSwati remains important in shaping policies and programmes that respond to their needs. The State of the Youth Report provides government and its partners with research-based data to guide these interventions. The report highlights both the opportunities presented by Eswatini’s youthful population and challenges such as unemployment, unequal access to opportunities, changing skills demands, mental well-being concerns and climate change. The Minister said these challenges required greater urgency, coordination and innovation.
With almost three-quarters of the population below the age of 35, the message from the commemoration was clear, investing in young people is not only about preparing them for the future, but about harnessing their potential to drive Eswatini’s development today.
(Courtesy Pic)
