Statistical information Namibia 1997

Namibia in the World
top of pageBackground: South Africa occupied the German colony of Sud-West Afrika 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 was soon named 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. Independence came in 1990.
top of pageLocation: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map reference:
AfricaAreaTotal: 825,418 km²
Land: 825,418 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundariesTotal: 3,824 km
Border countries: (4) Angola 1,376 km;
, Botswana 1,360 km;
, South Africa 855 km;
, Zambia 233 kmCoastline: 1,572 km
Maritime claimsContiguous zone: 24 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore
Land useArable land: 1%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 46%
Forests and woodland: 22%
Other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: prolonged periods of drought
Geographytop of pagePopulation: 1,727,183 (July 1997 est.)
Growth rate: 2.94% (1997 est.)
NationalityNoun: Namibian(s)
Adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%
Note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are:Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages:Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least, other Christian denominations 30%, native religions 10% to 20%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 43% (male 379,158; female 371,008)
15-64 years: 53% (male 444,523; female 465,510)
65 years and over: 4% (male 28,743; female 38,241) (July 1997 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 2.94% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 37.08 births/1000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.72 deaths/1000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1997 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 45.6 deaths/1000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 64.91 years
Male: 63.23 years
Female: 66.63 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.05 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 38%
Male: 45%
Female: 31% (1960 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Namibia
Conventional short form: Namibia
Government type: republic
Capital: Windhoek
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Dependent areasIndependence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999)
Election results: Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - 76%
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: National Council - last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); National Assembly - last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999)
Election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 73.89%, DTA 20.78%, UDF 2.72%, DCN 0.83%, MAG 0.82%; seats by party - SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1
Note: the National Council is a purely advisory body
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Veiccoh NGHIWETE
In the us chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,009
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador George F. WARD, Jr. (24 July 1996)
From the us embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek
From the us mailing address: Private Bag 12,029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
From the us telephone: [264] (61) 221,601
From the us FAX: [264] (61) 229,792
Flag description
: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 1.5% (1996 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,700 (1996 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 15%
Industry: 20%
Services: 65% (1995 est.)
Agriculture products: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled
Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Labor forceTotal: 500,000
By occupation agriculture: 49%
By occupation industry and commerce: 25%
By occupation services: 5%
By occupation government: 18%
By occupation mining: 3% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 21.8% (1993)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $1.1 billion
Expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $193 million (FY96/97 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExportsTotal value: $1.45 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Partners: UK, South Africa, Spain, Japan (1994)
ImportsTotal value: $1.55 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Partners: South Africa 85%, Germany, US, Japan (1994 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: about $315 million (1996 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Nambian dollars (N$) per US$1 - 4.64152 (January 1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994), 3.26774 (1993), 2.85201 (1992)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 406,000 kW (1993)
Production: 994 million kWh (1993)
Production note: imports electricity from South Africa
Consumption per capita: 925 kWh (1993)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 89,722 (1992 est.)
Telephone systemDomestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire
International: NA
Note: a fully automated digital network is to be operational by 1997
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $64 million (FY95/96)
Percent of gdp: 2.1% (FY95/96)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 111 (1996 est.)
With paved runways total: 32
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 15
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 3
With paved runways under 914 m: 10 (1996 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 79
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 18
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 59 (1996 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysTotal: 2,382 km
Narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: total:1 roll-on/roll-off ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,330 GRT/2,233 DWT
Ports and terminalsNamibia - Transnational issues 1997
top of pageDisputes international: quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in December 1995, and the parties agreed to refer the matter to the ICJ
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs