EZULWINI – The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, through the National Population Unit, has launched a Call for Research Papers aimed at strengthening the use of population evidence in national development planning.
The launch, held at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini on Thursday, brought together government officials, academics, lecturers, students, researchers, development partners and other stakeholders to explore Eswatini’s changing population dynamics and the role of research in addressing emerging development challenges.
The initiative is a build-up to the Eswatini National Population and Development Summit, scheduled for November 2026, where selected research abstracts will be presented.
Delivering remarks at the launch, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Thabsile Mlangeni, said Eswatini had undergone significant demographic changes over the past four decades.
She noted that the country’s population had grown from 681,059 people in 1986 to 1,232,154, according to population projections. Fertility has also declined from six children per woman in 1986 to 3.2 children per woman in 2017.
Other demographic indicators have also shifted. Infant mortality declined from 105 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1986 to 60 per 1,000, while under-five mortality fell from 155 per 1,000 children to 80 per 1,000 over the same period.
Mlangeni said these changes had far-reaching implications for sectors including healthcare, education, housing, employment, social protection and infrastructure.
However, she noted that the country continues to face pressing socio-economic challenges, with 53.5 per cent of the population living below the poverty line, according to the 2023/24 Eswatini Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Youth unemployment was also estimated at 52.2 per cent in the 2025 Labour Force Survey.
The Call for Research Papers is themed “Eswatini’s 40-Year Demographic Transition and Emerging Issues for Sustainable Development.”
Researchers are invited to submit work under eight thematic areas covering demographic transition and the demographic dividend; poverty reduction and inclusive growth; health, gender and social protection; education, employment and human capital development; agriculture, food security, climate change and environmental sustainability; housing, urbanisation and migration; artificial intelligence, data governance and population data; as well as indigenous knowledge, culture and community resilience.
A key feature of the launch was a panel discussion involving four student researchers from the Institute of Development Management, Eswatini Medical Christian University, the University of Eswatini and William Pitcher College. The discussion was moderated by Dr M. Ndlovu of EMCU.
The panel encouraged young researchers to actively contribute to national development discourse through innovative, collaborative and solution-driven research.
The National Population Unit said the initiative is intended not only to promote academic research but also to strengthen the connection between research findings and national policy.
Mlangeni urged Emaswati pursuing or holding undergraduate, master’s and PhD qualifications to participate in the call, describing it as an opportunity to close data gaps, promote a culture of publishing and strengthen evidence-based planning.
The deadline for abstract submissions is 21 September 2026, with late submissions not to be considered. Selected abstracts will be presented at the November summit.
The launch also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, academic institutions, civil society, the private sector, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations and development partners.
As Eswatini navigates its demographic transition, the initiative seeks to ensure that population data and research are translated into practical solutions that respond to the needs of the people.
Research informs evidence. Evidence informs planning. Planning shapes development.
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