2012 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2012 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa 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 has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. POHAMBA was reelected in November 2009.
Geography
Area
- 824,292 sq km 823,290 sq km 1,002 sq km
- total
- 824,292 sq km
- water
- 1,002 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Climate
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Coastline
1,572 km
Elevation extremes
- Atlantic Ocean 0 m Konigstein 2,606 m
- highest point
- Konigstein 2,606 m
- lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas
Environment - international agreements
- Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements
- party to
- Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified
- none of the selected agreements
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%) 148 cu m/yr (2000)
- per capita
- 148 cu m/yr (2000)
- total
- 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%)
Geographic coordinates
22 00 S, 17 00 E
Geography - note
first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip
Irrigated land
80 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries
- 3,936 km Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
- border countries
- Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
- total
- 3,936 km
Land use
- 0.99% 0.01% 99% (2005)
- arable land
- 0.99%
- other
- 99% (2005)
- permanent crops
- 0.01%
Location
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
- 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm
- contiguous zone
- 24 nm
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural hazards
prolonged periods of drought
Natural resources
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
Terrain
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Total renewable water resources
45.5 cu km (1991)
People and Society
Age structure
- 33.4% (male 365,100/ female 358,278) 62.4% (male 686,759/ female 664,928) 4.2% (male 39,813/ female 50,950) (2012 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 33.4% (male 365,100/ female 358,278)
- 15-64 years
- 62.4% (male 686,759/ female 664,928)
- 65 years and over
- 4.2% (male 39,813/ female 50,950) (2012 est.)
Birth rate
21.11 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
17.5% (2007)
Death rate
13.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
Education expenditures
6.4% of GDP (2008)
Ethnic groups
black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Health expenditures
5.9% of GDP (2009)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
13.1% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
6,700 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
180,000 (2009 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.67 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Infant mortality rate
- 45.61 deaths/1,000 live births 48.76 deaths/1,000 live births 42.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- female
- 42.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- total
- 45.61 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
English (official) 7%, Afrikaans (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), German 32%, indigenous languages (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) 1%
Life expectancy at birth
- 52.17 years 52.47 years 51.86 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 51.86 years (2012 est.)
- total population
- 52.17 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 88.8% 89% 88.5% (2010 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 88.5% (2010 est.)
- male
- 89%
- total population
- 88.8%
Major cities - population
WINDHOEK (capital) 342,000 (2009)
Major infectious diseases
- high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis (2009)
- degree of risk
- high
- food or waterborne diseases
- bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- vectorborne disease
- malaria
- water contact disease
- schistosomiasis (2009)
Maternal mortality rate
200 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Median age
- 22.1 years 22.1 years 22.1 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 22.1 years (2012 est.)
- male
- 22.1 years
- total
- 22.1 years
Nationality
- Namibian(s) Namibian
- adjective
- Namibian
- noun
- Namibian(s)
Net migration rate
0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Physicians density
0.374 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Population
2,165,828 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Population growth rate
0.817% (2012 est.)
Religions
Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 60% of population rural: 17% of population total: 33% of population urban: 40% of population rural: 83% of population total: 67% of population
- rural
- 83% of population
- total
- 67% of population
- urban
- 40% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 12 years 12 years 12 years (2008)
- female
- 12 years (2008)
- male
- 12 years
- total
- 12 years
Sex ratio
- 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- 15-64 years
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.78 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- total population
- 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- under 15 years
- 1.02 male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
2.41 children born/woman (2012 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 41.7% 36.7% 47.1% (2004)
- female
- 47.1% (2004)
- total
- 41.7%
Urbanization
- 38% of total population (2010) 3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 38% of total population (2010)
Government
Administrative divisions
13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Capital
- Windhoek 22 34 S, 17 05 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
- geographic coordinates
- 22 34 S, 17 05 E
- name
- Windhoek
- time difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990
Country name
- Republic of Namibia Namibia Republic of Namibia Namibia German South-West Africa (Sued-West Afrika), South-West Africa
- conventional long form
- Republic of Namibia
- conventional short form
- Namibia
- former
- German South-West Africa (Sued-West Afrika), South-West Africa
- local long form
- Republic of Namibia
- local short form
- Namibia
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek [264] (61) 295-8500 [264] (61) 295-8603
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT
- embassy
- 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek
- FAX
- [264] (61) 295-8603
- mailing address
- Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
- telephone
- [264] (61) 295-8500
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Martin ANDJABA 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 986-0540 [1] (202) 986-0443
- chancery
- 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Martin ANDJABA
- FAX
- [1] (202) 986-0443
- telephone
- [1] (202) 986-0540
Executive branch
- President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); Prime Minister Hage GEINGOB (since 4 December 2012) Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no single candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round of voting, a run-off election is scheduled between the two candidates with the greatest vote count; election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014) Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.8%
- cabinet
- Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
- chief of state
- President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
- election results
- Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.8%
- elections
- president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no single candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round of voting, a run-off election is scheduled between the two candidates with the greatest vote count; election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
- head of government
- President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); Prime Minister Hage GEINGOB (since 4 December 2012)
Flag description
a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and rain; the yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources
Government type
republic
Independence
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)
Legal system
mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law
Legislative branch
- bicameral legislature consists of the National Council, primarily an advisory body (26 seats; two members chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms), and the National Assembly (72 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, an additonal six nonvoting members are appointed by the president) National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 26-27 November 2010 (next to be held in 2016); National Assembly - last held on 26-27 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2014) National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 75.3%, RDP 11.3%, DTA 3.1%, NUDO 3.0%, UDF 2.4%, APP 1.4%, RP 0.8%, COD 0.7%, SWANU 0.6%, other 1.3%; seats by party - SWAPO 54, RDP 8, DTA 2, NUDO 2, UDF 2, APP 1, COD 1, RP 1, SWANU 1
- election results
- National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 75.3%, RDP 11.3%, DTA 3.1%, NUDO 3.0%, UDF 2.4%, APP 1.4%, RP 0.8%, COD 0.7%, SWANU 0.6%, other 1.3%; seats by party - SWAPO 54, RDP 8, DTA 2, NUDO 2, UDF 2, APP 1, COD 1, RP 1, SWANU 1
- elections
- National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 26-27 November 2010 (next to be held in 2016); National Assembly - last held on 26-27 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2014)
National anthem
- "Namibia, Land of the Brave" Axali DOESEB adopted 1991
- lyrics/music
- Axali DOESEB
- name
- "Namibia, Land of the Brave"
National holiday
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Political parties and leaders
All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Benjamin ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Hendrick MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders
National Society for Human Rights or NSHR (NAMRIGHTS as of 2010); various labor unions
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish
Budget
- $4.481 billion $5.081 billion (2012 est.)
- expenditures
- $5.081 billion (2012 est.)
- revenues
- $4.481 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-4.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate
12% (31 December 2010 est.) 7% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
9.2% (31 December 2012 est.) 8.73% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
$49.3 million (2012 est.) -$108.2 million (2011 est.)
Debt - external
$4.204 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.944 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
70.7 (2003)
Economy - overview
The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the world's fourth-largest producer of uranium. It also produces large quantities of zinc and is a small producer of gold and other minerals. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions, as shown by Namibia's 70.7 GINI coefficient. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Until 2010, Namibia drew 40% of its budget revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Increased payments from SACU put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence. SACU allotments to Namibia increased in 2009, but dropped in 2010 and 2011 because of the global recession, reducing Namibia's overall SACU income. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, and uranium spurred growth in 2003-08, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches, a dramatic decline in demand for diamonds, higher costs of producing metals, and the global recession. A rebound in diamond and uranium prices in 2010 and the reopening of copper mines in 2011 provided a significant boost to Namibia's mining sector. The Namibian economy expects to benefit from large investment projects in its mining sector. Expecting higher global uranium prices, Namibia plans to double its uranium exports by 2015, as well as increase its diamond output.
Exchange rates
Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.904 (2012 est.) 7.2597 (2011 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008)
Exports
$4.657 billion (2012 est.) $4.393 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
GDP - composition by sector
- 7.3% 34.3% 58.4% (2012 est.)
- agriculture
- 7.3%
- industry
- 34.3%
- services
- 58.4% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$7,800 (2012 est.) $7,600 (2011 est.) $7,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
4% (2012 est.) 4.9% (2011 est.) 6.6% (2010 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$12.15 billion (2012 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$16.84 billion (2012 est.) $16.19 billion (2011 est.) $15.44 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 1.1% 53% (2008)
- highest 10%
- 53% (2008)
- lowest 10%
- 1.1%
Imports
$5.762 billion (2012 est.) $5.345 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate
6.5% (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.8% (2012 est.) 5% (2011 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
21.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
Labor force
818,600 (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 16.3% 22.4% 61.3% statistics are for the formal sector only; about half of Namibia's people are unemployed while about two-thirds live in rural areas; roughly two-thirds of rural dwellers rely on subsistence agriculture (2008 est.)
- agriculture
- 16.3%
- industry
- 22.4%
- services
- 61.3%
Market value of publicly traded shares
$1.152 billion (31 December 2011) $1.176 billion (31 December 2010) $846.3 million (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line
55.8% the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day (2005 est.)
Public debt
28.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 26.8% of GDP (2011 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$1.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.758 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
$7.433 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $8.021 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$NA
Stock of domestic credit
$6.431 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.73 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$3.898 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.449 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
36.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
51.2% (2008 est.) 36.7% (2004 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
3.812 million Mt (2010 est.)
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
Electricity - consumption
3.268 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - exports
144 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
36.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
63.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports
2.202 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
393,000 kW (2009 est.)
Electricity - production
1.295 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
22,990 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
20,390 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service is available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code
.na
Internet hosts
78,280 (2012)
Internet users
127,500 (2009)
Telephone system
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
- domestic
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons
- general assessment
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
- international
- country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
Telephones - main lines in use
140,000 (2011)
Telephones - mobile cellular
2.24 million (2011)
Transportation
Airports
112 (2012)
Airports - with paved runways
- 1 (2012)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 12
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 2
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 1 (2012)
- over 3,047 m
- 4
- total
- 19
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 16 (2012)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 25
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 52
- total
- 93
- under 914 m
- 16 (2012)
Merchant marine
- cargo 1 (2010)
- total
- 1
Ports and terminals
Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Railways
- 2,626 km 2,626 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
- total
- 2,626 km
Roadways
- 64,189 km 5,477 km 58,712 km (2010)
- total
- 64,189 km
- unpaved
- 58,712 km (2010)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
- 568,231 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 568,231 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
- 351,431 311,513 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 311,513 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 351,431
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
- 26,413 26,038 (2010 est.)
- female
- 26,038 (2010 est.)
- male
- 26,413
Military branches
- Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2010)
- Namibian Defense Force (NDF)
- Army, Navy, Air Force (2010)
Military expenditures
3.7% of GDP (2006)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- 4,322 (Angola) (2011)
- refugees (country of origin)
- 4,322 (Angola) (2011)