The population is 1,104,343, giving Swaziland a population density of 64 persons per sq km . In 2001 the annual population growth rate was around at 1.8%. The capital and principal town is Mbabane . Lobamba is the orthodox royal capital. Some 35% of the population lives in urban areas.

The majority of the population is ethnic Swazi, mixed with a small number of Zulus and non-Africans. traditionally Swazis have been subsistence farmers and herders, but most now work in the growing urban formal economy and in government. Some Swazis work in the mines in South Africa. Christianity in Swaziland is sometimes mixed with orthodox beliefs and practices. Most Swazis ascribe a special spiritual role to the monarch. The nation's official languages are Siswati (a language related to Zulu) and English. Government and commercial business is conducted mainly in English.