BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – More than half of Eswatini’s employed population is working in the formal sector, according to findings contained in the 2025 Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) released by the National Employment Statistics Unit under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The survey indicates that of the country’s 271 227 employed people, 57.5 per cent are employed in the formal sector, while 38.4 per cent earn a living in the informal economy. A further 4.0 per cent are employed in household-based work.
The findings provide fresh insight into the structure of employment in Eswatini and highlight the continued importance of both the formal and informal sectors in creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods.
According to the survey, formal sector employment remains the largest source of jobs in the country. Among men, 59.2 per cent are employed in the formal sector, compared to 55.5 per cent of women. This suggests that men are slightly more likely to be employed in formal workplaces such as government institutions, private companies and registered businesses.
The informal sector, however, continues to play a significant role in absorbing labour. The survey found that 38.6 per cent of employed men and 38.2 per cent of employed women work in the informal economy, demonstrating that informal employment opportunities are almost equally important for both genders.
Household employment accounted for the smallest share of jobs. While only 2.2 per cent of employed men worked in households, the proportion was higher among women at 6.4 per cent, reflecting the continued concentration of women in domestic and household-related work.
The survey also examined the geographical distribution of employment across the country’s four regions.
Manzini Region emerged as the country’s main employment hub, accounting for 39.9 per cent of all employed people. The region’s position as Eswatini’s commercial and industrial centre continues to make it the largest source of employment opportunities.
Hhohho Region followed with 30.1 per cent of the employed population, while Lubombo Region accounted for 17.2 per cent. Shiselweni Region recorded the smallest share of employed persons at 12.9 per cent.
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Among men, 40.8 per cent of all employed males were found in Manzini, compared to 38.8 per cent of employed females. Hhohho accounted for 29.3 per cent of employed men and 31.1 per cent of employed women, showing a slightly higher concentration of female workers in the region.
Employment distribution in Lubombo was identical for both genders, with men and women each accounting for 17.2 per cent of employed persons in the region. Shiselweni recorded the lowest employment shares for both sexes, with 12.8 per cent of employed men and 13.0 per cent of employed women.
The findings come at a time when Eswatini is seeking to expand employment opportunities and reduce unemployment through economic growth, investment and skills development programmes.
Labour analysts say the data demonstrates the resilience of the formal sector while also underscoring the critical role played by the informal economy in supporting thousands of households. They note that policies aimed at strengthening small businesses, improving access to finance and encouraging formalisation could help create more sustainable employment opportunities.
The 2025 Integrated Labour Force Survey forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to monitor labour market trends and provide evidence-based information for policy formulation. The survey is conducted every three years and serves as the country’s primary source of labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment, labour force participation and other key indicators.
With more than 271 000 people employed nationwide, the latest findings provide an important snapshot of where emaSwati are working and the sectors that continue to drive the country’s labour market.
