Namibia
| Capital: | Windhoek |
| Area size: | 823290 sq. km Slightly larger than Turkey |
| Time zone: | Standard Time GMT +1, Summer Time GMT +2 |
| Currency: | Namibian dollar |
| Area code: | (+) 264 |
| Driving: | Left |
| Climate description: | Namibia is the driest country south of the Sahara, with approximately 12 percent hyper-arid, 16 percent arid, 69 percent semi-arid and 3 percent dry sub-humid. Average rainfall in Windhoek is about 360 mm. Semi-desert climate with hot days and cool nights. Central plateau temperatures are slightly lower than inland regions. Along the coast the cold Benguela current moderates the heat while causing fog and occasional rain. Two rainy seasons in the interior, one short and one long. The former Ovamboland and Caprivi in the north have the most temperate climates, highest rainfall, and are accordingly the only densely populated areas in Namibia. |
People
Standard of living
Economy & aid
Health
Disasters, conflict & migration
Language
English is the official language, but German and Afrikaans are also widely spoken. The six main indigenous languages are Oshivambo, Herero, Nama-Damara, Kwangali, Lozi and Tswana.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
Future population estimates
2.8 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2006)
Ethnic groups
The Ovambo make up almost half of the population (47 percent); other ethnic groups include the Kavango, Herero and Damara. There is also a European minority.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Lutheran 51 percent, Catholic 20 percent, Anglican 5 percent. Many people also practise traditional African religions.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
Year women granted right to vote
1989
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
79 (2006)
Source: UNESCO
Percentage of population under 15
English is the official language, but German and Afrikaans are also widely spoken. The six main indigenous languages are Oshivambo, Herero, Nama-Damara, Kwangali, Lozi and Tswana.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
| 2007 | 2.1 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006) |
| 2006 | 2.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2005 | 2.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2004 | 2.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2003 | 2.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2002 | 1.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2001 | 1.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2000 | 1.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
Future population estimates
2.8 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2006)
Ethnic groups
The Ovambo make up almost half of the population (47 percent); other ethnic groups include the Kavango, Herero and Damara. There is also a European minority.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Lutheran 51 percent, Catholic 20 percent, Anglican 5 percent. Many people also practise traditional African religions.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
| 2007 | 36.2 percent | U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005 |
| 2006 | 35.7 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2005 | 35.1 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2004 | 34.5 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2003 | 34.0 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2002 | 33.4 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2001 | 32.9 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2000 | 32.4 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
Year women granted right to vote
1989
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
79 (2006)
Source: UNESCO
Percentage of population under 15
| 2005 | 39.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 42.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 42.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 43.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 43.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 43.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Average life expectancy
Life expectancy - male
Life expectancy - female
Infant mortality
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
Births attended by skilled personnel
Maternal mortality
Human development index (HDI rank)
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
Percentage of undernourished population
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
Population with access to improved sanitation
Literacy - average
Literacy - male
Literacy - female
Landlines telephones
Cellular telephone subscribers
Internet users
Transparency International corruption ranking (1=least corrupt, 179=most corrupt)
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
| 2005 | 51.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 47.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 48.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 44.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 47.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 44.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - male
| 2005 | 50.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 46.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 47.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 43.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 45.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 44.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - female
| 2005 | 52.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 47.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 49.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 46.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 49.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 44.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Infant mortality
| 2006 | 45 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 46 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 47 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 48 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 55 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 55 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 56 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
| 2006 | 61 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 62 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 63 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
Births attended by skilled personnel
| 1997-2005 | 76 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1996-2004 | 76 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 78 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 78 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | 78 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 1995-2000 | 76 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Maternal mortality
| 2005 | 210 per 100,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2000 | 300 per 100,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
Human development index (HDI rank)
| 2005 | 125 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 125 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 125 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 126 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 124 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 122 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
| 2000-2006 | 24 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 1996-2005 | 24 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 1996-2004 | 24 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2000 | No data available percent |
Percentage of undernourished population
| 2002-2004 average | 24 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006 |
| 2001-2003average | 23 percent | FAO 2006 |
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
| 2006 | 93 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 87 percent | UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006 |
| 2002 | 80 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | 77 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Population with access to improved sanitation
| 2006 | 35 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 25 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2006 |
| 2002 | 30 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
Literacy - average
| 2004 | 85.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 85.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 83.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 82.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 82.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - male
| 2004 | 86.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 86.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 83.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 83.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 82.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - female
| 2004 | 83.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 83.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 82.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 81.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 81.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Landlines telephones
| 2006 | 68 per 1,000 people | International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2007 |
| 2005 | 68 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2004 | 64 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2003 | 66 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2002 | 65 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2001 | 64 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2000 | 62 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
Cellular telephone subscribers
| 2006 | 244 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2005 | 244 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2004 | 142 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2003 | 116 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2002 | 80 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2001 | 58 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2000 | 46 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
Internet users
| 2006 | 40 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2005 | 40 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2004 | 37 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2003 | 34 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2002 | 27 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2001 | 25 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
| 2000 | 17 per 1,000 people | ITU 2007 |
Transparency International corruption ranking (1=least corrupt, 179=most corrupt)
| 2008 | 61 | Transparency International 2008 |
| 2007 | 57 (joint) | Transparency International 2007 |
| 2006 | 55 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2005 | 77 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2004 | 54 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2003 | 41 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2002 | 28 | Transparency International |
| 2001 | 30 | Transparency International |
| 2000 | 30 (joint) | Transparency International |
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
International humanitarian aid flows
Access the Financial Tracking Service, a global real-time database which records all reported humanitarian aid - including that for NGOs, the Red Cross/Crescent Movement, bilateral aid, in-kind aid and private donations - searchable by country.
Source: Financial Tracking Service, ReliefWeb
Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
GNI per capita, Atlas method
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country’s exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
Annual GDP growth
Annual inflation
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
0.5 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
64.5 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
| 1990-2005 | 34.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1990-2004 | 34.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | 34.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1990-2002 | 34.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1990-2001 | 34.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
GNI per capita, Atlas method
| 2006 | 3210 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | 2950 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | 2410 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | 2010 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | 1750 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | 1780 current US$ | |
| 2000 | 1880 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country’s exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
| 2006 | 6.6 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | 6.2 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | 5.6 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | 4.5 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | 3.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | 3.2 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | 3.4 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
Annual GDP growth
| 2006 | 2.9 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | 4.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | 6.6 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | 3.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | 6.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | 2.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | 3.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
Annual inflation
| 2006 | 9.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | 3.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | 1.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | -0.6 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | 11.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | 14.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | 10.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
0.5 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
64.5 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
Physicians
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum from November to June in Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Omaheke, Ohangwena and Otjozondjupa. Risk throughout the year along the Kunene river and in Kavango and Caprivi regions. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2000-2004 | 30 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1990-2004 | 30 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | 29 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1990-2002 | 29 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
| 2007 | 15.3 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2006 | 15.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2005 | 15.3 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2004 | 15.3 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2003 | 15.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum from November to June in Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Omaheke, Ohangwena and Otjozondjupa. Risk throughout the year along the Kunene river and in Kavango and Caprivi regions. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2006 | 767 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2005 | 777 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 788 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2003 | 784 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2002 | 756 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2001 | 713 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
| 2000 | 664 per 100,000 people | WHO 2008 |
Chronology of natural disasters
Access EM-DAT, a database of natural disasters from 1900 to the present - death tolls and numbers of affected people - searchable by country.
Source: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium
Number of refugees originating here
Number of refugees residing here
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
Landmine casualties per year
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
Percentage of GDP spent on education
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2007 | 1128 | UNHCR |
| 2006 | 1203 | Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| 2005 | 1226 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 1314 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 1293 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 1302 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | 2297 | UNHCR |
| 2000 | 2308 | UNHCR |
Number of refugees residing here
| 2007 | 6525 | UNHCR |
| 2006 | 5462 | UNHCR |
| 2005 | 5307 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 14773 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 19800 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 21651 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | 30885 | UNHCR |
| 2000 | 27263 | UNHCR |
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
| No data available | |||
Landmine casualties per year
| 2004 | 3 | Landmine Monitor Report 2005 |
| 2003 | 12 | Landmine Monitor Report 2004 |
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
| 2005 | 3.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 3.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 2.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
Percentage of GDP spent on education
| 2002-2005 | 6.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2002-2004 | 7.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2000-2002 | 7.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1999-2001 | 7.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1998-2000 | 8.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2004 | 4.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2003-2004 | 4.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2002 | 4.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2001 | 4.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | 4.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
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