Life in Swaziland: Sources of Income
Basic Economy
Swaziland is a lower- scale middle income country and about
63% of the population lives in poverty. An important part of
Swaziland’s agriculture is based off of subsistence
farming. Swaziland is extremely dependent on South Africa as
it receives nine tenths of their imports and 60% of their
exports. There are many roads and railroads connecting the two
countries together. About 70% of Swazis live in rural areas,
and as population increases, the country has trouble providing
new job opportunities. Swaziland has modernized it’s economy
and initiated more trade with foreign nations, but there are
difficult challenges still affecting the economy such as soil
depletion, drought, floods and H.I.V.
Imports/Exports/Agriculture:
-
The sugar industry is Swaziland’s essential importer and
depends solely on irrigated cane. The U.S. invests in a soft
drink company which is another big exporter. Wood from pine
forests, pineapples and citrus fruits are other important
agricultural imports and exports.
-
Swaziland is also depends on mining coal and diamonds for
exports.
-
Swaziland’s staple crop is corn, but others include beans,
pumpkin, squash, peas and other vegetables. The population of
cattle greatly exceeds the country’s capacity, which causes a
major loss in vegetation.
-
Some other products grown and traded in Swaziland are
cotton, tobacco, rice, peanuts, coal and textiles.
-
Imports: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment,
foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
-
Exports: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton
yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
Natural Resources:
-
Swaziland’s natural resources include coal, clay,
cassiterite, forests, small gold and diamond deposits,
quarry stone, and talc.
-
There is barely enough farming land because of frequent
droughts in Swaziland, but the usable land is developed into
homesteads.
-
The Swazi government does very little to help with the
problems with agriculture or the economy.
Links/Resources:
...small steps to a brighter future...
