2011 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. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. POHAMBA was reelected in November 2009.

Area

824,292 sq km 823,290 sq km 1,002 sq km

total

824,292 sq km

water

1,002 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Climate

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Coastline

1,572 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Konigstein 2,606 m

highest point

Konigstein 2,606 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%) 148 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

148 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%)

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Geography - note

first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

Irrigated land

80 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

3,936 km Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km

border countries

Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km

total

3,936 km

Land use

0.99% 0.01% 99% (2005)

arable land

0.99%

other

99% (2005)

permanent crops

0.01%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

prolonged periods of drought

Natural resources

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

45.5 cu km (1991)

Age structure

34.2% (male 371,078/female 364,232) 61.7% (male 671,853/female 652,414) 4.1% (male 38,851/female 49,157) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

34.2% (male 371,078/female 364,232)

15-64 years

61.7% (male 671,853/female 652,414)

65 years and over

4.1% (male 38,851/female 49,157) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

21.48 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

17.5% (2007)

Death rate

12.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 88% of population total: 92% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 12% of population total: 8% of population (2008)

rural

12% of population

total

8% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Health expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

13.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

6,700 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

180,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.67 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

45.59 deaths/1,000 live births 48.86 deaths/1,000 live births 42.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

42.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

45.59 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official) 7%, Afrikaans (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), German 32%, indigenous languages (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) 1%

Life expectancy at birth

52.19 years 52.48 years 51.89 years (2011 est.)

female

51.89 years (2011 est.)

total population

52.19 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 85% 86.8% 83.5% (2001 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

83.5% (2001 census)

male

86.8%

total population

85%

Major cities - population

WINDHOEK (capital) 342,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

180 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

21.7 years 21.7 years 21.8 years (2011 est.)

female

21.8 years (2011 est.)

male

21.7 years

total

21.7 years

Nationality

Namibian(s) Namibian

adjective

Namibian

noun

Namibian(s)

Net migration rate

0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.374 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

2,147,585 (July 2011 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

0.873% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 60% of population rural: 17% of population total: 33% of population urban: 40% of population rural: 83% of population total: 67% of population (2008)

rural

83% of population

total

67% of population (2008)

urban

40% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2008)

female

12 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.49 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

41.7% 36.7% 47.1% (2004)

female

47.1% (2004)

total

41.7%

Urbanization

38% of total population (2010) 3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

38% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Capital

Windhoek 22 34 S, 17 05 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April

geographic coordinates

22 34 S, 17 05 E

name

Windhoek

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990

Country name

Republic of Namibia Namibia Republic of Namibia Namibia German South-West Africa (Sued-West Afrika), South-West Africa

conventional long form

Republic of Namibia

conventional short form

Namibia

former

German South-West Africa (Sued-West Afrika), South-West Africa

local long form

Republic of Namibia

local short form

Namibia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek [264] (61) 295-8500 [264] (61) 295-8603

chief of mission

Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT

embassy

14 Lossen Street, Windhoek

FAX

[264] (61) 295-8603

mailing address

Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

telephone

[264] (61) 295-8500

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Martin ANDJABA 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 986-0540 [1] (202) 986-0443

chancery

1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Martin ANDJABA

FAX

[1] (202) 986-0443

telephone

[1] (202) 986-0540

Executive branch

President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005) Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005) Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014) Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.8%

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005)

election results

Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.8%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

head of government

Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)

Flag description

a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and rain; the yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources

Government type

republic

Independence

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the National Council, primarily an advisory body (26 seats; two members chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms), and the National Assembly (72 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 26-27 November 2010 (next to be held in 2016); National Assembly - last held on 26-27 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2014) National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 75.3%, RDP 11.3%, DTA 3.1%, NUDO 3.0%, UDF 2.4%, APP 1.4%, RP 0.8%, COD 0.7%, SWANU 0.6%, other 1.3%; seats by party - SWAPO 54, RDP 8, DTA 2, NUDO 2, UDF 2, APP 1, COD 1, RP 1, SWANU 1

election results

National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 75.3%, RDP 11.3%, DTA 3.1%, NUDO 3.0%, UDF 2.4%, APP 1.4%, RP 0.8%, COD 0.7%, SWANU 0.6%, other 1.3%; seats by party - SWAPO 54, RDP 8, DTA 2, NUDO 2, UDF 2, APP 1, COD 1, RP 1, SWANU 1

elections

National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 26-27 November 2010 (next to be held in 2016); National Assembly - last held on 26-27 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2014)

National anthem

"Namibia, Land of the Brave" Axali DOESEB adopted 1991

lyrics/music

Axali DOESEB

name

"Namibia, Land of the Brave"

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Political parties and leaders

All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Benjamin ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Hendrick MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Society for Human Rights or NSHR (NAMRIGHTS as of 2010); various labor unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish

Budget

$3.103 billion $3.874 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$3.874 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$3.103 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

12% (31 December 2010 est.) 7% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.72% (31 December 2010 est.) 11.12% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$11.35 million (2010 est.) -$160.9 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$3.101 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.199 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

70.7 (2003)

Economy - overview

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the world's fourth-largest producer of uranium. It also produces large quantities of zinc and is a small producer of gold and other minerals. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about 35-40% of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions, as shown by Namibia's 70.7 GINI coefficient. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Until 2010, Namibia drew 40% of its budget revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Increased payments from SACU put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence. SACU allotments to Namibia increased in 2009, but will drop for 2010 and 2011 because South Africa went into recession during the global economic crisis, reducing overall SACU income. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, and uranium spurred growth in 2003-08, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches, a dramatic decline in demand for diamonds, higher costs of producing metals, and the global recession. A rebound in diamond and uranium prices in 2010 provided a significant boost to Namibia's mining sector. Copper mines, which closed in 2008, are slated to reopen in 2011.

Electricity - consumption

3.928 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

47 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.1 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

2.197 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.57 (2010) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008) 7.18 (2007) 6.7649 (2006)

Exports

$4.115 billion (2010 est.) $3.535 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins

GDP - composition by sector

7.3% 34.3% 58.4% (2010 est.)

agriculture

7.3%

industry

34.3%

services

58.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,900 (2010 est.) $6,600 (2009 est.) $6,700 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.4% (2010 est.) -0.8% (2009 est.) 4.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.87 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$14.6 billion (2010 est.) $13.98 billion (2009 est.) $14.1 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.1% 53% (2008)

highest 10%

53% (2008)

lowest 10%

1.1%

Imports

$4.904 billion (2010 est.) $4.519 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2010 est.) 8.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

789,100 (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

16.3% 22.4% 61.3% statistics are for the formal sector only; about half of Namibia's people are unemployed while about two-thirds live in rural areas; roughly two-thirds of rural dwellers rely on subsistence agriculture (2008 est.)

agriculture

16.3%

industry

22.4%

services

61.3%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.176 billion (31 December 2010) $846.3 million (31 December 2009) $618.7 million (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

24,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

19,890 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

55.8% the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day (2005 est.)

Public debt

20.1% of GDP (2010 est.) 14.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.495 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.846 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$8.078 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.595 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$6.553 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.726 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.653 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.839 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

51.2% (2008 est.) 36.7% (2004 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.na

Internet hosts

76,020 (2010)

Internet users

127,500 (2009)

Telephone system

good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of nearly 60 telephones per 100 persons; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 per 100 persons country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)

domestic

multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of nearly 60 telephones per 100 persons; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 per 100 persons

general assessment

good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital

international

country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

152,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.535 million (2010)

Airports

129 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

13

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

3 (2010)

over 3,047 m

3

total

21

Airports - with unpaved runways

11 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

25

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

71

total

108

under 914 m

11 (2010)

Merchant marine

cargo 1 (2010)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Luderitz, Walvis Bay

Railways

2,626 km 2,626 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)

total

2,626 km

Roadways

64,189 km 5,477 km 58,712 km (2010)

total

64,189 km

unpaved

58,712 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

568,231 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

568,231 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

351,431 311,513 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

311,513 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

351,431

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

26,413 26,038 (2010 est.)

female

26,038 (2010 est.)

male

26,413

Military branches

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2010)

Namibian Defense Force (NDF)

Army, Navy, Air Force (2010)

Military expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river

Refugees and internally displaced persons

4,700 (Angola) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

4,700 (Angola) (2007)