The analysis conducted in November 2019 revealed that less than half of the population of Eswatini are considered food secure (44%) – IPC Level 1. Approximately 558,000 people (56%) are chronically food insecure across the four regions. Of these, 60,000 people (6%) are in Severe chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 4), 138,000 people (14%) are in Moderate chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 3), and 360,000 people (36%) are in Mild chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 2).

Of major concern are the regions of Lubombo and Shiselweni, which have been overall classified in IPC Level 3 (Moderate chronic food insecurity), with Lubombo having the highest proportion of its population in Severe chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 4). The other two regions, Hhohho and Manzini, were overall classified in IPC Level 2 (Mild chronic food insecurity).

The period that was analysed in this chronic food insecurity analysis was 2010-2019. Exceptional circumstances that had an impact on this ten-year period were the financial crisis in 2008 that was followed by a food crisis in 2009/10, the 2015-2016 drought, the introduction of the VAT in 2013, the introduction of a restriction on the import of maize meal and the appearance of the Fall Armyworm in 2016 and the temporary loss of AGOA status in 2015. The period was also characterised by frequent dry spells and irregular rainfall, high and extreme levels of poverty, high levels of unemployment and a high prevalence of HIV.