Formerly a British protectorate, it has been independent within the Commonwealth since 6 September 1968, preserving traditional customs and institutions. Until 2018, it retained the name Swaziland. The 1978 Constitution, although amended to introduce greater democracy in 2006, assigns most powers to the King. The Assembly (59 elected members, 10 appointed by the sovereign and a variable number of seats - currently 4 - to guarantee 30% representation of women) and the Senate (30 members) mostly have consultative roles.

The country’s economy depends on South Africa, on custom fees from the Southern African Customs Union and on remittances by emigrants. The local currency is pegged to the South African Rand. Most of the population is involved in subsistence agriculture, although there are also some plantation crops (sugar cane). Coal is mined at Maloma. Industry (textiles and foodstuffs) is concentrated in Matsapa and Nhlangano.