Background: Namibia gained independence in 1990. Prior to independence, apartheid South Africa occupied the former German colony known as 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, though 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 and established a system of gender parity in parliamentary positions.

Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E

Map reference: Africa

Area
Total: 824,292 km²
Land: 823,290 km²
Water: 1002 km²
Rank: 35
Comparative: almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Land boundaries
Total: 4,220 km
Border countries: (4) Angola 1427 km; , Botswana 1544 km; , South Africa 1005 km; , Zambia 244 km

Coastline: 1572 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

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

Elevation
Mean elevation: 1141 m
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 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: 47.2% (2011 est.)
Forest: 8.8% (2011 est.)
Other: 44% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land: 80 km² (2012)

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; Namibia is the 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; Namib-Naukluft National Park (49,768 km²), is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world

Population
Distribution: population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola:
Rank: 142
Growth rate: 1.91% (2018 est.)
Growth rate rank: 52
Below poverty line: 28.7% (2010 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Namibian(s)
Adjective: Namibian

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

Languages:

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

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.

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.)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 68.1 (2015 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 62.2 (2015 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.8 (2015 est.)
Potential support ratio: 17.1 (2015 est.)

Median age
Total: 21.4 years (2018 est.)
Male: 20.7 years
Female: 22.2 years
Rank: 182

Population growth rate: 1.91% (2018 est.)
Rank: 52

Birth rate: 26.8 births/1000 population (2018 est.)
Rank: 45

Death rate: 7.7 deaths/1000 population (2018 est.)
Rank: 101

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (2018 est.)
Rank: 94

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

Urbanization
Urban population: 51% of total population
Note: (2015-20 est.)
Rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change

Major urban areas
Population: 417,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2019)

Environment
Current issues: depletion and degradation of water and aquatic resources; desertification; land degradation; loss of biodiversity and biotic resources; wildlife poaching
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
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth:

Infant mortality rate
Total: 33.8 deaths/1000 live births (2018 est.)
Male: 36 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 31.6 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 54

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 64.4 years (2018 est.)
Male: 62.7 years
Female: 66.2 years
Rank: 189

Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (2018 est.)
Rank: 47

Contraceptive prevalence rate: 56.1% (2013)

Drinking water source
Urban: 1.8% of population
Rural: 15.4% of population
Total: 9% of population (2015 est.)

Current health expenditure: 9.1% (2016)

Hospital bed density: 2.7 beds/1000 population (2009)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 45.5% of population (2015 est.)
Rural: 83.2% of population (2015 est.)
Total: 65.6% of population (2015 est.)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: 11.8% (2018 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 7
People living with hivaids: 200,000 (2018 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 29
Deaths: 2,700 (2018 est.)
Deaths rank: 39

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)

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 17.2% (2016)
Rank: 119

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 13.2% (2013)
Rank: 50

Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2014)
Rank: 135

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 81.9%
Male: 79.2%
Female: 84.5% (2015)

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 name namib means vast place in the Nama/Damara language

Government type: presidential republic

Capital
Name: Windhoek
Geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E
Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April: etymology: may derive from the Afrikaans word 'wind-hoek' meaning 'windy corner'

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

Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Constitution
History: adopted 9 February 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990
Amendments: initiated by the Cabinet; passage requires two-thirds 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; amended 1998, 2010, 2014 (2017)

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

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 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
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)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly
Electionsappointments: 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 27 November 2019 (next to be held on 27 November 2024)
Election results: Hage GEINGOB elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.8%, Panduleni ITULA (Independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.6%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 2.9%, Apius AUCHAB (UDF) 1.8%, Esther MUINJANGUE (NUDO) 1.5%, other 2%

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; Electoral Court, Labor Court; regional and district magistrates courts; community courts

Political parties and leaders: All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]Christian Democratic Voice or CDV [Gothard KANDUME]Landless People's Movement or LPM [Bernadus SWARTBOOI]National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Estes MUINJANGUE]Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF [Epafras MUKWIILONGO]Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly DTA) [McHenry VENAANI]Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Steve BEZUIDERHOUDT (Acting)]Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Tangeni IIYAMBO]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]Workers' Revolutionary Party or WRP (formerly CPN) [MPs Salmon FLEERMUYS and Benson KAAPALA]

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

Diplomatic representation
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 Lisa A. JOHNSON (since 3 February 2018)
From the us telephone: [264] (061) 295-8,500
From the us embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek
From the us mailing address: Private Bag 12,029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
From the us FAX: [264] (061) 295-8,603

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

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

National anthem
Name: Namibia, Land of the Brave
Lyricsmusic: Axali DOESEB: note: adopted 1991

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.

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 139

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 200

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 135

Gross national saving:
Rank: 125

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.)
Government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 16% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 36.7% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -47.5% (2017 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 6.7% (2016 est.)
Industry: 26.3% (2016 est.)
Services: 67% (2017 est.)

Agriculture products: millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish

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

Industrial production growth rate: -0.4% (2017 est.)
Rank: 171

Labor force: 956,800 (2017 est.)
Rank: 146
By occupation agriculture: 31%
By occupation industry: 14%
By occupation services: 54% (2013 est.)
By occupation: 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

Unemployment rate:
Rank: 210

Population below poverty line: 28.7% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: 2.4%
Highest 10: 42% (2010)

Distribution of family income gini index:
Rank: 6

Budget
Revenues: 4.268 billion (2017 est.)
Expenditures: 5 billion (2017 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 173

Taxes and other revenues: 32.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Rank: 68

Public debt:
Rank: 121

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Inflation rate consumer prices:
Rank: 187

Central bank discount rate:
Rank: 51

Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Rank: 85

Stock of narrow money:
Rank: 116

Stock of broad money:
Rank: 122

Stock of domestic credit:
Rank: 114

Market value of publicly traded shares:
Rank: 103

Current account balance:
Rank: 115

Exports:
Rank: 118
Partners: South Africa 27.1%, Botswana 14.9%, Switzerland 12%, Zambia 5.7%, China 4.6%, Italy 4.4% (2017)
Commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, white fish and mollusks

Imports:
Rank: 123
Commodities: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Partners: South Africa 61.4% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Rank: 115

Debt external:
Rank: 123

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: NA

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: NA

Exchange rates:

Electricity
Access population without electricity: 1 million (2017)
Access electrification total population: 51.8% (2016)
Access electrification urban areas: 77.1% (2016)
Access electrification rural areas: 28.7% (2016)
Production: 1.403 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Production rank: 145
Consumption: 3.891 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Consumption rank: 128
Exports: 88 million kWh (2015 est.)
Exports rank: 83
Imports: 3.073 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Imports rank: 50
Installed generating capacity: 535,500 kW (2016 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 146
Generation sources fossil fuels: 28% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 187
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 150
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 64% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 26
Generation sources other renewable sources: 8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 89

Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 179
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 171
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 172
Crude oil proven reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 174

Refined petroleum
Products production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products production rank: 183
Products consumption: 27,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Products consumption rank: 125
Products exports: 80 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products exports rank: 120
Products imports: 26,270 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products imports rank: 105

Natural gas
Production: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Production rank: 175
Consumption: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Consumption rank: 179
Exports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Exports rank: 157
Imports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Imports rank: 162
Proven reserves: 62.29 billion m³ (1 January 2018 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 60

Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 3.958 million Mt (2017 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 139

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 193,125
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2017 est.)
Fixed lines rank: 125
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 2,647,853
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2017 est.)
Mobile cellular rank: 143

Telephone system
General assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections; 3G and LTE services; Internet and broadband sector fairly competitive; infrastructure investment through 2021 (2018)
Domestic: fixed-line still a government monopoly with plans to open to competion soon; multiple mobile-cellular providers; fixed-line subscribership of 8 per 100 and mobile-cellular 107 per 100 persons (2018)
International: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)

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

Internet
Country code: .na
Users total: 756,118
Users percent of population: 31% (July 2016 est.)
Users rank: 139

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 63,894
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2017 est.)
Rank: 127

Military expenditures:
Rank: 19

Military and security forces: Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2019)

Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)

National air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 2 (2015)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12 (2015)
Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 553,322 (2015)
Annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 30,302,405
Note: mt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V5 (2016)

Airports: 112 (2013)
Rank: 52
With paved runways total: 19 (2017)
With paved runways over 3047 m: 4 (2017)
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2 (2017)
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 12 (2017)
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2017)
With unpaved runways total: 93 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 25 (2013)
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 52 (2013)
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 16 (2013)

Railways
Total: 2,628 km (2014)
Narrow gauge: 2,628 km
Note: 1.067-m gauge (2014)
Rank: 65

Roadways
Total: 48,875 km (2018)
Paved: 7,893 km (2018)
Unpaved: 40,982 km (2018)
Rank: 82

Merchant marine
Total: 10
By type: general cargo 1, other 9 (2018)
Rank: 150

Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Luderitz, Walvis Bay

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; the 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 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