Economists and statisticians constructing the national income accounts usually
overlook the many benefits derived by communities from natural forests and
woodlands. This study attempted to impute a value for the ecosystem services of these
resources in Swaziland employing an environmental accounting framework. The
current measure of national income was found to underestimate GDP by 2% and
under value national savings by 10% by not accounting for the flow and asset values
of natural forests and woodlands. The study also revealed a very high dependence of
the rural communities in Swaziland on natural forests and woodlands for their
livelihoods as they derive more than 50% of the value of total household consumption
expenditure from these resources. These results clearly indicate the significant
contribution to and crucial role these resources play in the lives and wellbeing of the
Swazi people and hence the importance of prudent management and utilisation of this
resource sector.