Namibia

Republic of Namibia

Africa Windhoek

Population

2.85M

Area

824,292 km²

GDP

$13.37B

GDP Per Capita

$10,300

Pop. Density

3/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

$Namibian dollar(NAD)

Calling Code

+264

Timezone

UTC+01:00

Languages

Afrikaans, German, English +6

Driving Side

left

Demonym

Namibian

Background

Various ethnic groups occupied southwestern Africa prior to Germany establishing a colony over most of the territory in 1884. South Africa occupied the colony, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966, the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia gained independence in 1990, and SWAPO has governed it since, although the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. President Hage GEINGOB was elected in 2014 in a landslide victory, replacing Hifikepunye POHAMBA, who stepped down after serving two terms. SWAPO retained its parliamentary super majority in the 2014 elections. In 2019 elections, GEINGOB was reelected but by a substantially reduced majority, and SWAPO narrowly lost its super majority in parliament.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑67.1% since 2006

$8B (2006)$13B (2024)

Population

↑52.1% since 2006

2.0M (2006)3.0M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 67.4 years

2006: 53.2 years2023: 67.4 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography20

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total : 824,292 sq km
land: 823,290 sq km
water: 1,002 sq km

Area - comparative

almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Land boundaries

total: 4,220 km
border countries: Angola 1,427 km; Botswana 1,544 km; South Africa 1,005 km; Zambia 244 km

Coastline

1,572 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Terrain

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east

Elevation

highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 1,141 m

Natural resources

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish

Land use

agricultural land

47.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 46.2% (2023 est.)

forest

9.8% (2023 est.)

other

43.1% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

80 sq km (2012)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Major aquifers

Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Population distribution

population density is very low, with the largest clusters found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

prolonged periods of drought

Geography - note

the Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

People & Society32

Population

total: 2,852,777 (2025 est.)
male: 1,402,136
female: 1,450,641

Nationality

noun: Namibian(s)
adjective: Namibian

Ethnic groups

Ovambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Languages

Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4%, Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.)

Religions

Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 34.1% (male 482,790/female 473,306)
15-64 years: 62% (male 846,810/female 890,099)
65 years and over: 3.9% (2024 est.) (male 47,686/female 62,969)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 60.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 54 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.5 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 15.5 (2025 est.)

Median age

total: 23.1 years (2025 est.)
male: 22.1 years
female: 23.5 years

Population growth rate

1.76% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

23.93 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

6.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

population density is very low, with the largest clusters found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization

urban population: 54.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

477,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.6 years (2013 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

139 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 27.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 31 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 65.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 64.2 years
female: 67.6 years

Total fertility rate

2.85 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.4 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: 96.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 73.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 85.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 3.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 26.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 14.1% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 9.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

urban: 70.6% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 23.6% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 49% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 29.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 76.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 51% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

17.2% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 2.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 11.8% (2025 est.)
male: 20.5% (2025 est.)
female: 3.9% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

33.7% (2018 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 9.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 24.6% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy

total population: 87.6% (2023 est.)
male: 87.9% (2023 est.)
female: 87.4% (2023 est.)

Government25

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Namibia

conventional short form

Namibia

local long form

Republic of Namibia

local short form

Namibia

former

German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Suedwestafrika), South-West Africa

etymology

named for the coastal Namib Desert; the word namib comes from the local Nama language and means "an area where there is nothing"

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: Windhoek
geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name is an Afrikaans word meaning "windy corner;" a local Khoikhoin chief first used the name in the 19th century and may have derived it from the name of his childhood South African village of Winterhoek

Administrative divisions

14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi

Legal system

mixed system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law

Constitution

history: adopted 9 February 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990
amendment process: passage requires majority vote of the National Assembly membership and of the National Council of Parliament and assent of the president of the republic; if the National Council fails to pass an amendment, the president can call for a referendum; passage by referendum requires two-thirds majority of votes cast; amendments that detract from or repeal constitutional articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended, and the requisite majorities needed by Parliament to amend the constitution cannot be changed

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

President Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

head of government

President Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly

election/appointment process

president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)

most recent election date

27 November 2024

election results

2024: Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH elected president in the first round; percent of vote -Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH (SWAPO) 57%, Panduleni ITULA (IPC) 26%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.10%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 4.72%, Job AMUPANDA (AR) 1.80%, Hendrik GAOBEAB (UDF) 1.16%; other 3.31%

2019: Hage GEINGOB reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, other .9%

expected date of next election

November 2029

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament
legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

National Assembly

number of seats

104 (96 directly elected; 8 appointed)

electoral system

proportional representation

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

11/27/2024 to 11/30/2024

parties elected and seats per party

SWAPO Party (51); Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) (20); Affirmative Repositioning (AR) (6); Landless People's Movement (LPM) (5); Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) (5); Other (9)

percentage of women in chamber

42.3%

expected date of next election

November 2029

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

National Council

number of seats

42 (all indirectly elected)

electoral system

proportional representation

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

12/15/2020

percentage of women in chamber

14.3%

expected date of next election

December 2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges in quorum sessions)
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president of Namibia on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission; judges serve until age 65, but terms can be extended by the president until age 70
subordinate courts: High Court; Electoral Court, Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts

Political parties

All People's Party or APP
Christian Democratic Voice or CDV
Landless People's Movement or LPM
National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO
Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF
Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance or DTA)
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP
Republican Party or RP
South West Africa National Union or SWANU
South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO
United Democratic Front or UDF
United People's Movement or UPM

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Wilbard HELLAO (since 16 December 2025)
chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
email address and website:
info@namibiaembassyusa.org

https://namibiaembassyusa.org/

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador John GIORDANO (since 29 October 2025)

embassy

38 Metje Street, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek

mailing address

2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC  20521-2540

telephone

[264] (61) 202-5000

FAX

[264] (61) 202-5219

email address and website

ConsularWindhoek@state.gov

https://na.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP (associate observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Flag

description: a wide red stripe edged with narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower-left corner to upper-right corner; the upper triangle is blue and has a golden-yellow, 12-ray sunburst, and the lower triangle is green

meaning: red stands for the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue stands for the sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the sun for power and existence, and green for vegetation and agricultural resources

National symbol(s)

oryx (antelope)

National color(s)

blue, red, green, white, yellow

National anthem(s)

title: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"
lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB
history: adopted 1991

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (c); Namib Sand Sea (n)

Economy30

Economic overview

upper middle-income, export-driven Sub-Saharan economy; natural resource rich; Walvis Bay port expansion for trade; high potential for renewable power generation and energy independence; major nature-based tourist locale; natural resource rich; shortage of skilled labor

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $31.154 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $30.039 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $28.761 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 3.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 5.4% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $10,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $10,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $10,000 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.372 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 4.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 5.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 6.1% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 7.3% (2024 est.)
industry: 28.9% (2024 est.)
services: 54.5% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

79.3% (2024 est.)

government consumption

21.5% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23.7% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

1.9% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

41.6% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-68% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023)

Industries

mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2024 est.)

Labor force

1.131 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 19.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 19.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 19.7% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 37.3% (2024 est.)
male: 36.7% (2024 est.)
female: 38% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

17.4% (2015 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2015: 59.1 (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1% (2015 est.)
highest 10%: 47.2% (2015 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2024: 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

Budget

revenues: $4.415 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $4.779 billion (2023 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2019: 4.64% of GDP (2019 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024: -$2.055 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$1.893 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$1.605 billion (2022 est.)

Exports

Exports 2024: $5.887 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $5.729 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $5.361 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners

South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities

gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023)

Imports

Imports 2024: $9.199 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $8.443 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $7.43 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners

South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $3.356 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $2.956 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $2.803 billion (2022 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

18.329 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

18.446 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

16.356 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

14.779 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

16.463 (2020 est.)

Energy7

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 56.2% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 74.8%
electrification - rural areas: 33.2%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 646,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 3.891 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 169 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 2.917 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 747.409 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 900 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 26,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 350 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas

proven reserves: 62.297 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 21.734 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 81,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 2.58 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 85 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available

Internet country code

.na

Internet users

percent of population: 64% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 104,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2023 est.)

Transportation6

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

259 (2025)

Heliports

1 (2025)

Railways

total: 2,628 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Merchant marine

total: 15 (2023)
by type: general cargo 1, other 14

Ports

total ports

2 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

key ports

Luderitz Bay, Walvis Bay

Military & Security6

Military and security forces

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Namibian Army, Namibian Navy, Namibian Air Force (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024: 2.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 12,000 active Namibian Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the NDF's inventory consists mostly of Soviet-era weapons and equipment; over the past decade, it has received a limited number of newer weapons systems from China and South Africa; Namibia has a small defense industry that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2026)

Military - note

the NDF’s primary responsibility is defending Namibia's territorial integrity and national interests; other responsibilities include support to civil authorities and participating in peace and stability missions under the African Union, Southern African Development Community, and the UN; Namibia has bilateral defense ties with several countries, including Botswana, India, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia

the NDF was created in 1990, largely from demobilized former members of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF); the PLAN was the armed wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), while SWATF was an auxiliary of the South African Defense Force and comprised the armed forces of the former South West Africa, 1977-1989; from 1990-1995, the British military assisted with the forming and training the NDF (2025)

Transnational Issues1

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 6,575 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 1,399 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 14,796 (2024 est.)

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