Namibia
Republic of Namibia
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +1.65%
Situated in Southern Africa, Namibia has a population of approximately 3.02 million—a modestly sized nation in population terms. The country extends across 825,615 km², translating to a density of 4.0 people per km². Its capital is Windhoek, and official languages include Afrikaans, German, English, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, and Tswana, while the Namibian dollar serves as the national currency.
Population
3,022,401
Area
825,615 km²
Density
4/km²
World Rank
#139
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 25.9 per thousand against deaths at 6.2 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. A youthful age structure is evident: 37% of the population is under 15, while only 3.7% is over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Region
- Africa
- Subregion
- Southern Africa
- Continent
- Africa
- Languages
- Afrikaans, German, English, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana
- Currencies
- Namibian dollar ($), South African rand (R)
- Calling Code
- +264
- Top-Level Domain
- .na
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 3,022,401
- Land Area
- 825,615 km²
- Population Density
- 4 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +1.65%
- Annual Growth
- +49,870 people
- Daily Growth
- +137 people
- World Population Share
- 0.04%
- Coordinates
- -22.00°, 17.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
At around $4.4k per person, the economy falls into the lower-middle-income tier, reflecting ongoing development needs. Unemployment is a pressing concern at 19.3%, far exceeding the global benchmark of 5.8%. A Gini index of 59.1 signals substantial income inequality, suggesting that economic gains are concentrated among a smaller share of the population.
Life Expectancy
67.4 years
GDP per Capita
$4,413
Birth Rate
25.9 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.2 per 1,000
Urban Population
50.4%
Fertility Rate
3.21 births/woman
Infant Mortality
38.4 per 1,000
Unemployment
19.3%
Literacy Rate
87.6%
Internet Users
64.4%
Under 15
37.0%
Over 65
3.7%
Health Spending
9.5% GDP
Gini Index
59.1
Age Distribution
0-14 years
1.1M
15-64 years
1.8M
65+ years
111K
Urbanization
About 50.4% of the population is urban, indicating a society in the midst of a rural-to-urban transition. Windhoek serves as the administrative heart of the country and concentrates much of its commercial and civic life. Extremely low population density means that settlements are widely dispersed, raising logistical hurdles for infrastructure and public service delivery.
1.5M
50.4%
1.5M
49.6%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 67.4 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 38.4 per thousand live births, somewhat lower than the global average. The literacy rate of 87.6% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Namibia
Namibia has 1 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Namibia is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Namibia participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 3,022,401 |
| 2030 | 3,219,022 |
| 2035 | 3,465,652 |
| 2040 | 3,713,362 |
| 2045 | 3,962,441 |
| 2050 | 4,213,305 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Namibia.
Largest Cities in Namibia
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Namibia by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Namibia?
The population of Namibia is approximately 3.0 million as of 2026, making it #139 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Namibia?
The capital of Namibia is Windhoek.
What languages are spoken in Namibia?
The main languages spoken in Namibia are Afrikaans, German, English, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana.
How big is Namibia?
Namibia covers an area of 825,615 km² with a population density of 4 people per km².
Is Namibia growing or shrinking?
Namibia is growing at a rate of 1.65% per year, adding approximately 49,870 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Namibia?
The average life expectancy in Namibia is 67.4 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Namibia?
The GDP per capita of Namibia is $4,413.