Country Profile: Namibia

Namibia, located in Southern Africa along the Atlantic Ocean, boasts a diverse geography that features both the vast Namib and Kalahari deserts, alongside significant natural resources such as diamonds, uranium, and copper. The nation has a population of approximately 2.8 million people with a rich tapestry of ethnic groups, predominantly Ovambo, and an official language of English. Economically, Namibia is an upper-middle-income country driven by resource exports and a growing tourism sector, while it functions under a presidential republic governed by the SWAPO party, which has maintained a significant political presence since independence in 1990.

Geography

Namibia is situated in Southern Africa, bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean to the west and sharing land boundaries with Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia. The country's landscape is marked by a high plateau and notable deserts.

Area: 824,292 sq km, almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania.
Coastline: 1,572 km
Elevation: Highest point at 2,573 m (Konigstein on Brandberg).
Climate: Generally hot and dry desert climate with erratic rainfall.

People and Society

Namibia's population is estimated at 2,803,660 as of 2024, with a predominantly youthful demographic and a low population density. The society is characterized by its diverse ethnic composition, with the Ovambo group as the largest ethnic community.

Urban Population: 54.9% of total population (2023).
Literacy Rate: 87.6% (2023).
Life Expectancy: 65.9 years (2024).
Religious Composition: 97.5% Christian population.

Economy

Namibia's economy is classified as upper middle-income and is largely reliant on its natural resources. The country is a leader in diamond mining and has ample potential for renewable energy development.

GDP (PPP): $31.154 billion (2024 est.).
GDP Growth Rate: 3.7% (2024 est.).
Unemployment Rate: 19.2% (2024 est.).
Exports: Total of $5.887 billion (2024 est.).

Government

Namibia operates as a presidential republic with a bicameral Parliament. The current government is led by President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH, who was elected in 2024.

Independence: Gained on 21 March 1990.
Current Constitution: Adopted on 9 February 1990.
Suffrage: Universal suffrage at 18 years.
Major Political Party: SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization).

Military and Security

The Namibian Defense Force (NDF) is responsible for the country's military operations, focusing on territorial integrity and civil support. The defense budget is approximately 2.8% of GDP.

Active Personnel: Estimated 12,000 in the Namibian Defense Forces.
Military Service Age: Voluntary service from 18-25 years without conscription.
Military Acquisition: Mix of Soviet-era and modern systems.
Geopolitical Role: Engaged in regional peacekeeping missions.

Energy

Namibia's energy sector features a mix of generation sources, with significant hydroelectric contribution. The country has identified high potential for renewable energy.

Electricity Access: 56.2% of the population (2022 est.).
Total Installed Capacity: 646,000 kW (2023 est.).
Renewable Sources: Solar contributes 26.9% of total capacity (2023 est.).

Environment

Namibia faces environmental challenges including desertification and biodiversity loss, while also being a participant in various international environmental agreements.

Total Water Resources: 39.91 billion cubic meters (2022 est.).
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Total of 3.46 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Biodiversity: Significant areas of land protected, including the Namib Desert.

Transportation

Namibia has a developing transportation infrastructure, with various modes including railways, airports, and a merchant marine.

Airports: Total of 259 (2025).
Railways: 2,628 km of railway network (2014).
Ports: Key ports include Walvis Bay and Luderitz Bay.

Communications

Namibia has a growing communications sector with increasing internet access and mobile subscriptions.

Internet Users: 64% of the population (2023 est.).
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: Approximately 2.6 million (2023 est.).
Fixed Line Subscriptions: About 81,000 (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,803,660	2024 estimate
Area	824,292 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$31.154 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	19.2%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	65.9 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	87.6%	2023 estimate
Urban Population	54.9%	2023 estimate
Electricity Access	56.2%	2022 estimate
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)	4.2%	2024 estimate
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	21.734 million Btu/person	2023 estimate