BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA— Government could consider introducing incentives to encourage population growth in Eswatini, with a Cabinet minister suggesting that the country should set a long-term target of growing its population to two million people.
This was disclosed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu, who was representing Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe during the Senate Portfolio Committee debate on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ First Quarter Performance Report for 2026/27.
Shakantu was responding to a question raised by Senate President Senator Lindiwe Dlamini on the country’s population growth.
The minister said Eswatini’s relatively slow population growth was an issue that deserved attention, suggesting that Government could explore incentives aimed at encouraging families to have more children.
She cited examples of other countries where governments provide financial allowances and other forms of support to families with children as part of efforts to stimulate population growth.
According to the minister, Eswatini could similarly examine what incentives would be appropriate and sustainable to encourage population growth.
She noted that for many years, the country’s population has remained within the region of 1.1 million to 1.2 million people, arguing that a clear long-term national population target could help shape future policy.
“There must be a target that is put in place that we must grow the population to two million by X,” she said.
The minister also linked population growth to the country’s broader demographic composition, saying slow growth among Emaswati could, over time, affect the demographic balance of the country.
Her remarks followed concerns raised by the Senate President regarding the growth of the foreign population in Eswatini and questions surrounding access to national documents.
Shakantu said the country needed to remain mindful of its long-term demographic outlook, particularly if the population of indigenous Emaswati remained comparatively small.
She further linked population size to investment and economic development, arguing that there was economic power in numbers and that the size of a country’s domestic market could influence investment decisions.
A larger population, particularly one supported by employment opportunities and stronger household incomes, could potentially expand the domestic consumer market and strengthen the country’s attractiveness to investors.
Eswatini’s population currently stands at around 1.2 million people. Previous demographic projections have pointed to continued population growth, although at a slowing rate. A UNICEF demographic briefing, citing United Nations projections, previously estimated that Eswatini could reach a population of two million around 2070.
The discussion comes amid broader Government attention to demographic, social and economic challenges affecting families.
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has recently addressed challenges including teenage pregnancy, food insecurity and unemployment, which have implications for the wellbeing of children and families as well as the country’s long-term demographic outlook.
The DPM has stressed that employment opportunities need to be addressed as part of any broader discussion around increasing the country’s population.
Shakantu, however, told Parliament that population-growth incentives were among the options Government could consider, saying there was a need to determine what practical measures could encourage sustainable population growth.
The proposal could potentially open a broader national discussion on how Eswatini balances its population ambitions with job creation, housing, education, healthcare, food security and the economic opportunities required to support a growing population.
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(Courtesy Pic)
