World · permanent entity record · WA
Namibia
Thirty-second orientation
Namibia at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Namibian(s); adjective: Namibian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Namibia through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Namibia became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,092,816World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 2,852,777 (2025 est.) male: 1,402,136 female: 1,450,641CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $15.1 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $4,876
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 67.5 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 50.9%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 59.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 64.9%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Windhoek
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 824,292 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 3,092,816
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Namibian dollars (NAD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Namibian(s); adjective: Namibian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Africa
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
- Coastline
- 1,572 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- red, white, blue, yellow, green
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- oryx (antelope)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Konigstein on Brandberg · 8,442 ft (2,573 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
- Location
- Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 824,292 sq km land: 823,290 sq km water: 1,002 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 4,220 km border countries (4): Angola 1,427 km; Botswana 1,544 km; South Africa 1,005 km; Zambia 244 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,141 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 47.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 46.2% (2023 est.) forest: 9.8% (2023 est.) other: 43.1% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major aquifers
- Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society32 fields
- Population
- total: 2,852,777 (2025 est.) male: 1,402,136 female: 1,450,641
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.) note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 23.1 years (2025 est.) male: 22.1 years female: 23.5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 23.93 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 6.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 54.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 477,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 21.6 years (2013 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 139 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 65.9 years (2024 est.) male: 64.2 years female: 67.6 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 2.85 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 96.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 73.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 3.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 26.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.1% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 9.4% of GDP (2021) 11.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 70.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 23.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 49% of population (2022 est.) urban: 29.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 76.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 51% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 11.8% (2025 est.) male: 20.5% (2025 est.) female: 3.9% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 33.7% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 9.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 24.6% national budget (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 87.6% (2023 est.) male: 87.9% (2023 est.) female: 87.4% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
- Environmental issues
- depletion and degradation of water and aquatic resources; desertification; land degradation; loss of biodiversity; wildlife poaching
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 47.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 46.2% (2023 est.) forest: 9.8% (2023 est.) other: 43.1% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 54.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 3.46 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 48,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 11.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 2.1 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 193.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 13.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 0.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 256,700 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19.6% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 61.568 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 18.61 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 201 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 39.91 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- 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"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi note: the Karas region was renamed //Karas in 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 note: the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National color(s)
- blue, red, green, white, yellow
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Namibia, Land of the Brave" lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB history: adopted 1991
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy30 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $31.154 billion (2024 est.) $30.039 billion (2023 est.) $28.761 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 3.7% (2024 est.) 4.4% (2023 est.) 5.4% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $10,300 (2024 est.) $10,100 (2023 est.) $10,000 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $13.372 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 4.2% (2024 est.) 5.9% (2023 est.) 6.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 7.3% (2024 est.) industry: 28.9% (2024 est.) services: 54.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 1% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 1.131 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 19.2% (2024 est.) 19.4% (2023 est.) 19.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 37.3% (2024 est.) male: 36.7% (2024 est.) female: 38% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 17.4% (2015 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 59.1 (2015 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 1% (2015 est.) highest 10%: 47.2% (2015 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $4.415 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $4.779 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 4.64% of GDP (2019 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 33% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$2.055 billion (2024 est.) -$1.893 billion (2023 est.) -$1.605 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $5.887 billion (2024 est.) $5.729 billion (2023 est.) $5.361 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $9.199 billion (2024 est.) $8.443 billion (2023 est.) $7.43 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $3.356 billion (2024 est.) $2.956 billion (2023 est.) $2.803 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 18.329 (2024 est.) 18.446 (2023 est.) 16.356 (2022 est.) 14.779 (2021 est.) 16.463 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 56.2% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 74.8% electrification - rural areas: 33.2%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- proven reserves: 62.297 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 21.734 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 81,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 2.58 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 85 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 64% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 104,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- V5
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Railways
- total: 2,628 km (2014) narrow gauge: 2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 15 (2023) by type: general cargo 1, other 14
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Luderitz Bay, Walvis Bay
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- Military and security forces
- Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Namibian Army, Namibian Navy, Namibian Air Force (2025) note: the Namibian Police Force is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security; it has a paramilitary Special Field Force responsible for protecting borders and government installations
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 2.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 3% of GDP (2022 est.) 3% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- estimated 12,000 active Namibian Defense Forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2026)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 6,575 (2024 est.) IDPs: 1,399 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 14,796 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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