Namibia

Various ethnic groups occupied southwestern Africa prior to Germany establishing a colony over most of the territory in 1884. South Africa occupied the colony, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 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 gained independence in 1990, and SWAPO has governed it since, although the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. President Hage GEINGOB was elected 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. In 2019 elections, GEINGOB was reelected but by a substantially reduced majority, and SWAPO narrowly lost its super majority in parliament.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total : 824,292 sq km

land: 823,290 sq km

water: 1,002 sq km

comparison ranking: total 35

Area – comparative

almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 4,220 km

border countries (4): Angola 1,427 km; Botswana 1,544 km; South Africa 1,005 km; Zambia 244 km

Coastline

1,572 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,141 m

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

Land use

agricultural land: 47.1% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 46.2% (2022 est.)

forest: 7.9% (2022 est.)

other: 45% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

80 sq km (2012)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) – 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) – 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) – 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Major aquifers

Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Population distribution

population density is very low, with the largest clusters found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

prolonged periods of drought

Geography – note

the Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

People and Society

Population

total: 2,803,660 (2024 est.)

male: 1,377,286

female: 1,426,374

comparison rankings: total 141; female 139; male 142

Nationality

noun: Namibian(s)

adjective: Namibian

Ethnic groups

Ovambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Languages

Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4%, Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.)

note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages

Religions

Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha’i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 34.1% (male 482,790/female 473,306)

15-64 years: 62% (male 846,810/female 890,099)

65 years and over: 3.9% (2024 est.) (male 47,686/female 62,969)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 61.4 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 55 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 6.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 15.7 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 22.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 22.1 years

female: 23.5 years

comparison ranking: total 182

Population growth rate

1.72% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 54

Birth rate

24.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 47

Death rate

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 117

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 87

Population distribution

population density is very low, with the largest clusters found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization

urban population: 54.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

477,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

21.6 years (2013 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Maternal mortality ratio

215 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: 44

Infant mortality rate

total: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 55

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 65.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 64.2 years

female: 67.6 years

comparison ranking: total population 203

Total fertility rate

2.89 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 51

Gross reproduction rate

1.43 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

56.1% (2013)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 83.2% of population

total: 91.4% of population

unimproved:

urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 16.8% of population

total: 8.6% of population (2020 est.)

Health expenditure

9.4% of GDP (2021)

11.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 70.6% of population

rural: 23.6% of population

total: 48.1% of population

unimproved:

urban: 29.4% of population

rural: 76.4% of population

total: 51.9% of population (2020 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

17.2% (2016)

comparison ranking: 119

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 2.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 126

Tobacco use

total: 11.8% (2025 est.)

male: 20.5% (2025 est.)

female: 3.9% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 114

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

33.3% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

9.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

24.7% national budget (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 6

Literacy

total population: 92.3%

male: 90.6%

female: 92.3% (2021)

Environment

Environment – current issues

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

Environment – international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Land use

agricultural land: 47.1% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 46.2% (2022 est.)

forest: 7.9% (2022 est.)

other: 45% (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 54.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 11.81 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 4.23 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 10.4 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 256,729 tons (1993 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 11,553 tons (2005 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.5% (2005 est.)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Major aquifers

Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 70 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 201 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

39.91 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Namibia

conventional short form: Namibia

local long form: Republic of Namibia

local short form: Namibia

former: German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Suedwestafrika), South-West Africa

etymology: named for the coastal Namib Desert; the word namib comes from the local Nama language and means “an area where there is nothing”

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: Windhoek

geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name is an Afrikaans word meaning “windy corner;” a local Khoikhoin chief first used the name in the 19th century and may have derived it from the name of his childhood South African village of Winterhoek

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 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language

Legal system

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

Constitution

history: adopted 9 February 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990

amendment process: passage requires majority vote of the National Assembly membership and of the National Council of Parliament and assent of 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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

head of government: President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

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

election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)

most recent election date: 27 November 2024

election results:
2024: Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH elected president in the first round; percent of vote -Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (SWAPO) 57%, Panduleni ITULA (IPC) 26%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.10%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 4.72%, Job AMUPANDA (AR) 1.80%, Hendrik GAOBEAB (UDF) 1.16%; other 3.31%

2019: Hage GEINGOB reelected president in the first round; percent of vote – Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, other .9%

expected date of next election: November 2029

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament

legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch – lower chamber

chamber name: National Assembly

number of seats: 104 (96 directly elected; 8 appointed)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 11/27/2024 to 11/30/2024

parties elected and seats per party: SWAPO Party (51); Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) (20); Affirmative Repositioning (AR) (6); Landless People’s Movement (LPM) (5); Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) (5); Other (9)

percentage of women in chamber: 40.6%

expected date of next election: November 2029

Legislative branch – upper chamber

chamber name: National Council

number of seats: 42 (all indirectly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 12/15/2020

percentage of women in chamber: 14.3%

expected date of next election: December 2025

note: the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly

Judicial branch

highest court(s): 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 on 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; Electoral Court, Labor Court; regional and district magistrates’ courts; community courts

Political parties

All People’s Party or APP
Christian Democratic Voice or CDV
Landless People’s Movement or LPM
National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO
Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF
Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance or DTA)
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP
Republican Party or RP
South West Africa National Union or SWANU
South West Africa People’s Organization or SWAPO
United Democratic Front or UDF
United People’s Movement or UPM

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Margareth Natalie MENSAH-WILLIAMS (since 18 January 2021)

chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540

FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://namibiaembassyusa.org/

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Brandon HUDSPETH (since 1 January 2025)

embassy: 38 Metje Street, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek

mailing address: 2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC 20521-2540

telephone: [264] (61) 202-5000

FAX: [264] (61) 202-5219

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://na.usembassy.gov/

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

Independence

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Flag description

a wide red stripe edged with narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper triangle is blue and has a golden-yellow, 12-rayed sunburst, and the lower triangle is green; red stands for the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue stands for the sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the sun for power and existence, and green for vegetation and agricultural resources

National symbol(s)

oryx (antelope)

National color(s)

blue, red, green, white, yellow

National anthem

name: “Namibia, Land of the Brave”

lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB

note: adopted 1991

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (c); Namib Sand Sea (n)

Economy

Economic overview

upper middle-income, export-driven Sub-Saharan economy; natural resource rich; Walvis Bay port expansion for trade; high potential for renewable power generation and energy independence; major nature-based tourist locale; natural resource rich; shortage of skilled labor

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$29.944 billion (2023 est.)
$28.748 billion (2022 est.)
$27.288 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 148

Real GDP growth rate

4.16% (2023 est.)
5.35% (2022 est.)
3.6% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 72

Real GDP per capita

$10,100 (2023 est.)
$9,900 (2022 est.)
$9,700 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 146

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.351 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.2% (2024 est.)
5.9% (2023 est.)
6.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 131

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 7.7% (2023 est.)

industry: 30% (2023 est.)

services: 53.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 130; industry 65; agriculture 90

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 73.3% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 21.8% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 26.2% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.5% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 43.4% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -66.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture

Industrial production growth rate

9.19% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 24

Labor force

1.131 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 145

Unemployment rate

19.1% (2024 est.)
19.4% (2023 est.)
19.7% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 192

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 37.3% (2024 est.)

male: 36.7% (2024 est.)

female: 38% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 13

Population below poverty line

17.4% (2015 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

59.1 (2015 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 2

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1% (2015 est.)

highest 10%: 47.2% (2015 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

0.71% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.66% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.58% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $3.998 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $4.535 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

4.64% of GDP (2019 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 201

Taxes and other revenues

27.2% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 31

Current account balance

-$1.809 billion (2023 est.)
-$1.611 billion (2022 est.)
-$1.393 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 152

Exports

$5.691 billion (2023 est.)
$5.361 billion (2022 est.)
$4.353 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 137

Exports – partners

South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$8.286 billion (2023 est.)
$7.424 billion (2022 est.)
$6.466 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 130

Imports – partners

South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.356 billion (2024 est.)
$2.956 billion (2023 est.)
$2.803 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 118

Exchange rates

Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
18.329 (2024 est.)
18.446 (2023 est.)
16.356 (2022 est.)
14.779 (2021 est.)
16.463 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 56.2% (2022 est.)

electrification – urban areas: 74.8%

electrification – rural areas: 33.2%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 646,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 3.891 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 169 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 2.917 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 747.409 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 89; imports 61; exports 87; consumption 136; installed generating capacity 146

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 900 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 26,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 350 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas

proven reserves: 62.297 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

3.46 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 48,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 3.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 145

Energy consumption per capita

21.734 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 131

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 81,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 143

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 2.6 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 146

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.na

Internet users

percent of population: 64% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 104,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 133

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

259 (2025)

comparison ranking: 26

Heliports

1 (2025)

comparison ranking: 152

Railways

total: 2,628 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Merchant marine

total: 15 (2023)

by type: general cargo 1, other 14

comparison ranking: total 152

Ports

total ports: 2 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 2

very small: 0

ports with oil terminals: 2

key ports: Luderitz Bay, Walvis Bay

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Namibian Army, Namibian Navy, Namibian Air Force (2025)

note: the Namibian Police Force is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security; it has a paramilitary Special Field Force responsible for protecting borders and government installations

Military expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
3% of GDP (2022 est.)
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 12,000 active Namibian Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the NDF’s inventory consists of a mix of Soviet-era and some more modern systems from a variety of countries, including Brazil, China, Germany, India, and South Africa; most of the Navy’s vessels and the Air Force’s fighter aircraft were acquired from China; Namibia has a small defense industry that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)

note: as of 2022, women comprised about 23% of the active-duty military

Military – note

the NDF’s primary responsibility is defending Namibia’s territorial integrity and national interests; it has participated in UN and regional peacekeeping and security missions and provides assistance to civil authorities as needed; it also participates in multinational training exercises

the NDF was created in 1990, largely from demobilized former members of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF); the PLAN was the armed wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), while SWATF was an auxiliary of the South African Defense Force and comprised the armed forces of the former South West Africa, 1977-1989; from 1990-1995, the British military assisted with the forming and training the NDF (2025)