2018 Edition

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, though the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. Prime Minister Hage GEINGOB was elected president 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 and established a system of gender parity in parliamentary positions.

Area

land

823,290 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

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean

mean elevation

1,141 m

note

2573 highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg

Environment Current Issues

depletion and degradation of water and aquatic resources; desertification; land degradation; loss of biodiversity and biotic resources; wildlife poaching

Environment International 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

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 (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (4)

Angola 1427 km, Botswana 1544 km, South Africa 1005 km, Zambia 244 km

total

4,220 km

Land Use

arable land: 1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 46.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

47.2% (2011 est.)

forest

8.8% (2011 est.)

other

44% (2011 est.)

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

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, note, suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Population Distribution

population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola

Terrain

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east

Age Structure

0-14 years

36.54% (male 467,392 /female 458,190)

15-24 years

20.34% (male 257,190 /female 257,984)

25-54 years

34.74% (male 421,849 /female 458,118)

55-64 years

4.46% (male 50,459 /female 62,478)

65 years and over

3.93% (male 42,381 /female 57,183) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

26.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

13.2% (2013)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

56.1% (2013)

Death Rate

7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

Planning officials view Namibia’s reduced population growth rate as sustainable based on the country’s economic growth over the past decade. Prior to independence in 1990, Namibia’s relatively small population grew at about 3% annually, but declining fertility and the impact of HIV/AIDS slowed this growth to 1.4% by 2011, rebounding to close to 2% by 2016. Namibia’s fertility rate has fallen over the last two decades – from about 4.5 children per woman in 1996 to 3.4 in 2016 – due to increased contraceptive use, higher educational attainment among women, and greater female participation in the labor force. The average age at first birth has stayed fairly constant, but the age at first marriage continues to increase, indicating a rising incidence of premarital childbearing.The majority of Namibians are rural dwellers (about 55%) and live in the better-watered north and northeast parts of the country. Migration, historically male-dominated, generally flows from northern communal areas – non-agricultural lands where blacks were sequestered under the apartheid system – to agricultural, mining, and manufacturing centers in the center and south. After independence from South Africa, restrictions on internal movement eased, and rural-urban migration increased, bolstering urban growth.Some Namibians – usually persons who are better-educated, more affluent, and from urban areas – continue to legally migrate to South Africa temporarily to visit family and friends and, much less frequently, to pursue tertiary education or better economic opportunities. Namibians concentrated along the country’s other borders make unauthorized visits to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana, to visit family and to trade agricultural goods. Few Namibians express interest in permanently settling in other countries; they prefer the safety of their homeland, have a strong national identity, and enjoy a well-supplied retail sector. Although Namibia is receptive to foreign investment and cross-border trade, intolerance toward non-citizens is widespread.

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

5.8 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

17.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

68.1 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

62.2 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 98.2% of population

rural: 84.6% of population

total: 91% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population

rural: 15.4% of population

total: 9% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

8.3% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic Groups

black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%

note

about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other indigenous ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Health Expenditures

8.9% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

12.1% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

2,700 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

200,000 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

31.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

36 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

33.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4% (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages .7%, other 1% (2016 est.)

note

Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 Indo-European languages

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

66.2 years (2018 est.)

male

62.7 years (2018 est.)

total population

64.4 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

84.5% (2015 est.)

male

79.2% (2015 est.)

total population

81.9% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

degree of risk

high (2016)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

vectorborne diseases

malaria (2016)

water contact diseases

schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

404,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

265 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female

22.2 years (2018 est.)

male

20.7 years

total

21.4 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

21.5 years (2013 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

adjective

Namibian

noun

Namibian(s)

Net Migration Rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

17.2% (2016)

Population

2,533,224 (July 2018 est.)

note

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

1.91% (2018 est.)

Religions

Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 54.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 16.8% of population (2015 est.)

total: 34.4% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 45.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 83.2% of population (2015 est.)

total: 65.6% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

0.91 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.82 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

3.21 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

52.5% (2016 est.)

male

37.7% (2016 est.)

total

44.9% (2016 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.2% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

50% of total population (2018)

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 September 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language

Capital

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)

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

Constitution

amendments

proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly membership and of the National Council of Parliament and assent by 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; amended 1998, 2010, 2014 (2017)

history

drafted 9 February 1990, signed 16 March 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990 (2017)

Country Name

conventional long form

Republic of Namibia

conventional short form

Namibia

etymology

named for the coastal Namib Desert; the name "namib" means "vast place" in the Nama/Damara language

former

German South-West Africa (Deutsch Suedwest Afrika), South-West Africa

local long form

Republic of Namibia

local short form

Namibia

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission

Ambassador Lisa A. JOHNSON (since 21 November 2017)

embassy

14 Lossen Street, Windhoek

FAX

[264] (061) 295-8603

mailing address

Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

telephone

[264] (061) 295-8500

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

chancery

1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Helena Elizabeth GRAY (since 26 March 2018)

FAX

[1] (202) 986-0443

telephone

[1] (202) 986-0540

Executive Branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly

chief of state

President Hage GEINGOB (since 21 March 2015); Vice President Nangola MBUMBA (since 8 February 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Hage GEINGOB elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 86.7%, McHenry VENAANI (DTA) 5.0%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA (RDP) 3.4%, Asser MBAI (NUDO)1.9%, Henk MUDGE (RP) 1.0%, other 2.0%

elections/appointments

president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2019)

head of government

President Hage GEINGOB (since 21 March 2015); Vice President Nangola MBUMBA (since 8 February 2018); Prime Minister Saara KUUGONGELWA-AMADHILA (since 21 March 2015)

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 golden-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 golden-yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources

Government Type

presidential 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, 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, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial Branch

highest courts

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 upon 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; Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts

Legal System

mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law

Legislative Branch

description

bicameral Parliament consists of:National Council (42 seats); members indirectly elected 3 each by the 14 regional councils to serve 5-year terms); note - the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly National Assembly (104 seats; 96 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 8 nonvoting members appointed by the president)

election results

National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 40, NUDO 1, DTA 1 National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 80.0%, DTA 4.8%, RDP 3.5%, APP 2.3%, UDF 2.1%, NUDO 2.0%, CPN 1.5%, other 3.8%; seats by party - SWAPO 77, DTA 5, RDP 3, APP 2, UDF 2, NUDO 2, CPN 2, SWANU 1, UPM 1, RP 1

elections

National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 27 November 2015 (next to be held in November 2020) National Assembly - last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2019)

National Anthem

lyrics/music

Axali DOESEB

name

Namibia, Land of the Brave

note

adopted 1991

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

National Symbol S

oryx (antelope); national colors: blue, red, green, white, yellow

Political Parties And Leaders

All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]Communist Party of Namibia or CPN (formerly known as Workers' Revolutionary Party or WRP) [Attie BEUKES and Harry BOESAK]Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [McHenry VENAANI]National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Asser MBAI]Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Jeremiah NAMBINGA]Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hage GEINGOB]United Democratic Front or UDF [Apius AUCHAB]United People's Movement or UPM [Jan J. VAN WYK]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish

Budget

expenditures

5 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

4.268 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

7% (12 April 2017)

6.5% (31 December 2015)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

10.04% (31 December 2017 est.)

9.84% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$438 million (2017 est.)

-$1.555 billion (2016 est.)

Debt External

$7.969 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$6.904 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

59.7 (2010)

70.7 (2003)

Economy Overview

Namibia’s economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for about 12.5% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Marine diamond mining is increasingly important as the terrestrial diamond supply has dwindled. The rising cost of mining diamonds, especially from the sea, combined with increased diamond production in Russia and China, has reduced profit margins. Namibian authorities have emphasized the need to add value to raw materials, do more in-country manufacturing, and exploit the services market, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors.Namibia is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium. The Chinese-owned Husab uranium mine began producing uranium ore in 2017, and is expected to reach full production in August 2018 and produce 15 million pounds of uranium a year. Namibia also produces large quantities of zinc and is a smaller producer of gold and copper. Namibia's economy remains vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and drought.Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years, food shortages are problematic in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, obscures one of the world's most unequal income distributions; the current government has prioritized exploring wealth redistribution schemes while trying to maintain a pro-business environment. GDP growth in 2017 slowed to about 1%, however, due to contractions in both the construction and mining sectors, as well as an ongoing drought. Growth is expected to recover modestly in 2018.A five-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact ended in September 2014. As an upper middle income country, Namibia is ineligible for a second compact. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Namibia receives 30%-40% of its revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU); volatility in the size of Namibia's annual SACU allotment and global mineral prices complicates budget planning.

Exchange Rates

Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -

13.67 (2017 est.)

14.7096 (2016 est.)

14.7096 (2015 est.)

12.7589 (2014 est.)

10.8526 (2013 est.)

Exports

$3.995 billion (2017 est.)

$4.003 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, white fish and mollusks

Exports Partners

South Africa 27.1%, Botswana 14.9%, Switzerland 12%, Zambia 5.7%, China 4.6%, Italy 4.4% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

36.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption

24.5% (2017 est.)

household consumption

68.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-47.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

16% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

1.6% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

6.7% (2016 est.)

industry

26.3% (2016 est.)

services

67% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$13.24 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$11,200 (2017 est.)

$11,500 (2016 est.)

$11,700 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$26.6 billion (2017 est.)

$26.81 billion (2016 est.)

$26.62 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

-0.8% (2017 est.)

0.7% (2016 est.)

6.1% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

16.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

9.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

19.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

42% (2010)

lowest 10%

42% (2010)

Imports

$5.384 billion (2017 est.)

$5.625 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports Partners

South Africa 61.4% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

-0.4% (2017 est.)

Industries

meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, pasta, beverages; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

6.1% (2017 est.)

6.7% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

956,800 (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

31%

industry

14%

note

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

services

54% (2013 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

$1.305 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.152 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$1.176 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

28.7% (2010 est.)

Public Debt

41.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

39.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$2.432 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.834 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$3.425 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.911 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

note

NA

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

note

NA

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$8.582 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$7.038 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$3.425 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.911 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

32.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

34% (2016 est.)

28.1% (2014 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

3.958 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - rural areas

17% (2013)

electrification - total population

32% (2013)

electrification - urban areas

50% (2013)

population without electricity

1.6 million (2013)

Electricity Consumption

3.891 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

88 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

28% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

64% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

3.073 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

535,500 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

1.403 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

27,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

80 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

26,270 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (2017 est.)

total

63,894 (2017 est.)

Broadcast Media

1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2007)

Internet Country Code

.na

Internet Users

percent of population

31% (July 2016 est.)

total

756,118 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of about 110 telephones per 100 persons (2016)

general assessment

good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections (2016)

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 submarine cable through South Africa; connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2016)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

193,125 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

107 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

2,647,853 (2017 est.)

Airports

112 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

12 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

4 (2017)

total

19 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

25 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

52 (2013)

total

93 (2013)

under 914 m

16 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

V5 (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type

general cargo 1, other 8 (2017)

total

9 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

30,302,405 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

553,322 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

12 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

2 (2015)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s)

Luderitz, Walvis Bay

Railways

narrow gauge

2,628 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

total

2,628 km (2014)

Roadways

paved

6,387 km (2010)

total

44,138 km (2010)

unpaved

37,751 km (2010)

Military Branches

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2013)

Military Expenditures

4.44% of GDP (2016)

4.7% of GDP (2015)

4.18% of GDP (2014)

3.07% of GDP (2013)

3.17% of GDP (2012)

Military Service Age And Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

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 borderthe governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange RiverNamibia 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

Trafficking In Persons

current situation

Namibia is a country of origin and destination for children and, to a lesser extent, women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; victims, lured by promises of legitimate jobs, are forced to work in urban centers and on commercial farms; traffickers exploit Namibian children, as well as children from Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, for forced labor in agriculture, cattle herding, domestic service, fishing, and street vending; children are also forced into prostitution, often catering to tourists from southern Africa and Europe; San and Zemba children are particularly vulnerable; foreign adults and Namibian adults and children are reportedly subjected to forced labor in Chinese-owned retail, construction, and fishing operations

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Namibia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Namibia was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; in 2015, the Child Care and Protection Bill passed, criminalizing child trafficking; the government’s first sex trafficking prosecution remained pending; no new prosecutions were initiated and no trafficking offenders have ever been convicted; accusations of forced labor at Chinese construction and mining companies continue to go uninvestigated; authorities failed to fully implement victim identification and referral processes, which led to the deportation of possible victims (2015)