Country Profile: Namibia
Namibia is located in Southern Africa, bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean, with Angola to the north and South Africa to the south. The country is characterized by its vast deserts, including the Namib and Kalahari, and a relatively low population density of approximately 2.85 million people. As an upper middle-income nation, Namibia's economy is heavily reliant on natural resources, tourism, and mining, while the governance structure is a presidential republic with a history of independence gained from South African administration in 1990.
Geography
Namibia's terrain is predominantly high plateau with the Namib Desert along the coastline and the Kalahari Desert in the east. The country covers an area of 824,292 sq km, making it nearly seven times the size of Pennsylvania and slightly more than half the size of Alaska. The coastline stretches for 1,572 km, and the nation shares land borders with Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia.
- 4,220 km of land boundaries
- 14% of land protected, mainly along the Namib Desert coastal strip
- 1,002 sq km of water area
People and Society
The estimated population of Namibia is 2,852,777 as of 2025, with a majority of the population being of Ovambo descent. The official language is English, but multiple indigenous languages are spoken across the country. The society is predominantly Christian, accounting for 97.5% of the population.
- 54.9% of the population resides in urban areas (2023)
- 34.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy is 65.9 years (2024 est.)
Economy
Namibia boasts a resource-rich economy with significant exports in minerals such as diamonds, uranium, and fish. The GDP in 2024 is estimated at $31.154 billion (PPP), reflecting a growth rate of 3.7%. The unemployment rate is notably high at 19.2% in 2024, indicating challenges in the labor market.
- 7.3% of GDP comes from agriculture (2024 est.)
- 54.5% of GDP is generated by the services sector (2024 est.)
- 41.6% of the economy consists of exports of goods and services (2024 est.)
Government
Namibia operates as a presidential republic with a bicameral Parliament, consisting of a National Assembly and a National Council. The President serves as both head of state and government, recently elected in 27 November 2024. The legal system combines uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law.
- Independence achieved on 21 March 1990
- The Constitution was adopted on 9 February 1990
- Citizens can vote at 18 years of age
Military and Security
The Namibian Defense Force (NDF) comprises the army, navy, and air force, with an estimated strength of 12,000 active personnel as of 2025. The NDF’s primary role includes defending the country’s territorial integrity, operating under various international peacekeeping missions.
- Military expenditure is 2.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
- No conscription; military service is voluntary for those aged 18-25.
- The NDF was established in 1990.
Energy
Electricity access remains limited in Namibia, with 56.2% of the population connected as of 2022. The country utilizes a diverse energy portfolio, with significant contributions from hydroelectric sources.
- 646,000 kW of installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
- 3.891 billion kWh of electricity consumed (2023 est.)
- 26.9% of electricity comes from solar energy (2023 est.)
Environment
Namibia faces several environmental challenges, including land degradation and water resource depletion. The country is a participant in numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.
- 39.91 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
- 256,700 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
- 19.6% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
Transportation
Namibia has a developing transportation system with various airports and a railway network. The country features key ports along its coastline that facilitate trade.
- 259 airports (2025)
- 2,628 km of railways (2014)
- 15 merchant ships in service (2023)
Communications
The communication infrastructure includes a growing number of mobile subscriptions and internet users, with a significant percentage of the population connected to the internet.
- 64% of the population uses the internet (2023 est.)
- 2.58 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.)
- 3 fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023 est.)
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,852,777 | 2025 estimate |
| Area | 824,292 sq km | Total area |
| GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) | $31.154 billion | 2024 estimate |
| Energy Consumption | 21.734 million Btu/person | Total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.) |
| Birth Rate | 23.93 births/1,000 people | 2025 estimate |
| Unemployment Rate | 19.2% | 2024 estimate |
| Life Expectancy | 65.9 years | 2024 estimate |
| Urban Population | 54.9% | 2023 estimate |
| Literacy Rate | 87.6% | 2023 estimate |
| Inflation Rate | 4.2% | 2024 estimate |
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