CapitalWindhoek
Population2,852,777
Area824,292 km²
GDP per capita$10,300
LanguagesOshiwambo languages, Nama/Damara, Kavango languages, Afrikaans, Herero languages, Zambezi languages, English, other African languages, other European languages, other
CurrencyNamibian dollars
Life Expectancy65.9 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
land
823,290 sq km
water
1,002 sq km
total
824,292 sq km
Climate
arid; characterized by high temperatures and limited rainfall, which is both scarce and unpredictable
Terrain
predominantly a high plateau; featuring the Namib Desert on the coastline and the Kalahari Desert to the east
Land use
other
43.1% (2023 est.)
forest
9.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
47.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 46.2% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Southern Africa, it lies adjacent to the South Atlantic Ocean, positioned between Angola and South Africa
Coastline
1,572 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m
mean elevation
1,141 m
Irrigated land
80 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin and Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
4,220 km
border countries
Angola: 1,427 km; Botswana: 1,544 km; South Africa: 1,005 km; Zambia: 244 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
extended durations of drought conditions
Geography - note
the Namib Desert, which lends its name to the country, is recognized as the oldest desert globally; approximately 14% of the territory is designated as protected, encompassing nearly the entire coastal strip of the Namib Desert
Natural resources
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, and fish
Area - comparative
nearly seven times larger than Pennsylvania; just over half the area of Alaska
Geographic coordinates
22 00 S, 17 00 E
Population distribution
the population density is extremely low, with the most significant concentrations occurring in the far north-central region along the Angolan border, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage
Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Orange (941,351 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage
Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)
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
People & Society
Literacy
male
87.9% (2023 est.)
female
87.4% (2023 est.)
total population
87.6% (2023 est.)
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.)
Religions
Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (which includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)
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
total population
0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.76 male(s)/female
Birth rate
23.93 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
22.1 years
total
23.1 years (2025 est.)
female
23.5 years
Population
male
1,402,136
total
2,852,777 (2025 est.)
female
1,450,641
Nationality
noun
Namibian(s)
adjective
Namibian
Tobacco use
male
20.5% (2025 est.)
total
11.8% (2025 est.)
female
3.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
54.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
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%
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
60.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
54 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
15.5 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
6.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.85 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 73.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 85.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 96.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 26.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 14.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 3.8% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
9.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
24.6% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
31 deaths/1,000 live births
total
27.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
24.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.76% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.4 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The population density is extremely low, with the most significant concentrations located in the far north-central region adjacent to the border with Angola, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
64.2 years
female
67.6 years
total population
65.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
139 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 23.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 49% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 70.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 76.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 51% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 29.4% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
2.38 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.)
Major urban areas - population
477,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
17.2% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.6 years (2013 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
33.7% (2018 est.)
Environment
Climate
arid region; high temperatures, low humidity; precipitation is infrequent and unpredictable
Land use
other
43.1% (2023 est.)
forest
9.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
47.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 46.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
54.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
0.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
13.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
2.1 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
193.6 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
256,700 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
19.6% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
diminution and deterioration of water and aquatic resources; desert expansion; land deterioration; reduction in biodiversity; illegal hunting of wildlife
Total water withdrawal
municipal
61.568 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
18.61 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
201 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total 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.)
Particulate matter emissions
11.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
39.91 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: the flag features a broad red band bordered by thin white lines that diagonally divides it from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; the upper section is blue, adorned with a golden-yellow, 12-ray sunburst, while the lower section is green
meaning: red signifies the bravery of the populace and their commitment to forging a future of equal opportunity; white represents peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue symbolizes the sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the sun denotes strength and existence, and green stands for plant life and agricultural resources
Capital
name
Windhoek
etymology
the name derives from an Afrikaans term meaning "windy corner;" a local Khoikhoin chief first utilized the name during the 19th century and may have taken it from his childhood village in South Africa, Winterhoek
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
22 34 S, 17 05 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
adopted on 9 February 1990, came into effect on 21 March 1990
amendment process
to pass, an amendment requires a majority vote from both the National Assembly and the National Council of Parliament, along with the president's approval; if the National Council does not approve an amendment, the president may call for a referendum; a referendum requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast for approval; amendments that diminish or abolish constitutional articles concerning fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be modified, and the necessary majorities for Parliament to amend the constitution cannot be altered
Country name
former
German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Suedwestafrika), South-West Africa
etymology
named after the coastal Namib Desert; the term namib originates from the local Nama language and translates to "an area where there is nothing"
local long form
Republic of Namibia
local short form
Namibia
conventional long form
Republic of Namibia
conventional short form
Namibia
Independence
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Legal system
a mixed legal system combining uncodified civil law derived from Roman-Dutch law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges in quorum sessions)
subordinate courts
High Court; Electoral Court; Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts
judge selection and term of office
judges are appointed by the president of Namibia based on the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission; they serve until the age of 65, although the president can extend their terms up to age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly
chief of state
President Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)
election results
2024: Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH was elected president in the first round; vote percentages - 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%; others 3.31%
2019: Hage GEINGOB was reelected president in the first round; vote percentages - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, others 0.9%
head of government
President Netumbo NANDI-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)
most recent election date
27 November 2024
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly by an absolute-majority popular vote, requiring up to 2 rounds if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for one additional term)
expected date of next election
November 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
National color(s)
blue, red, green, white, yellow
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)
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
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Namibia, Land of the Brave"
history
adopted 1991
lyrics/music
Axali DOESEB
National symbol(s)
oryx (antelope)
Administrative divisions
14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
104 (96 directly elected; 8 appointed)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/27/2024 to 11/30/2024
expected date of next election
November 2029
percentage of women in chamber
42.3%
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)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
National Council
term in office
5 years
number of seats
42 (all indirectly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
most recent election date
12/15/2020
expected date of next election
December 2025
percentage of women in chamber
14.3%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 986-0443
chancery
1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 986-0540
chief of mission
Ambassador Wilbard HELLAO (since 16 December 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://namibiaembassyusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[264] (61) 202-5219
embassy
38 Metje Street, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek
telephone
[264] (61) 202-5000
mailing address
2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC 20521-2540
chief of mission
Ambassador John GIORDANO (since 29 October 2025)
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration of jurisdiction to the ICJ; accepts the jurisdiction of the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$4.415 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$4.779 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$5.361 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$5.729 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$5.887 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$7.43 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$8.443 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$9.199 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture
Labor force
1.131 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2019
4.64% of GDP (2019 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
16.463 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
14.779 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
16.356 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
18.446 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
18.329 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a Sub-Saharan economy classified as upper middle-income and export-oriented; rich in natural resources; expansion of the Walvis Bay port to enhance trade; significant potential for renewable energy generation and energy self-sufficiency; a prominent destination for nature-based tourism; rich in natural resources; facing a shortage of skilled labor
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
19.7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
19.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
19.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$10,000 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$10,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$10,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
5.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
4.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$1.605 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$1.893 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$2.055 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
33% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$13.372 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
79.3% (2024 est.)
government consumption
21.5% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
1.9% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
23.7% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
41.6% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-68% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
17.4% (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.1% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
5.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
4.2% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$28.761 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$30.039 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$31.154 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
36.7% (2024 est.)
total
37.3% (2024 est.)
female
38% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$2.803 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$2.956 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$3.356 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
28.9% (2024 est.)
services
54.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
7.3% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1% (2015 est.)
highest 10%
47.2% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2015
59.1 (2015 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
900 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
26,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
350 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
23,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
169 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
2.917 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
3.891 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
646,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
747.409 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
proven reserves
62.297 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
33.2%
electrification - urban areas
74.8%
electrification - total population
56.2% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
21.734 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
64% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
There is 1 privately owned and 1 government-operated television station; satellite and cable television services are accessible; the state-operated radio broadcasts in various languages; approximately twelve private radio stations exist; and transmissions from several international broadcasters are available.
Internet country code
.na
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
81,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
2.58 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
85 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
104,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
4 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
2
medium
0
key ports
Luderitz Bay, Walvis Bay
very small
0
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
2
Airports
259 (2025)
Railways
total
2,628 km (2014)
narrow gauge
2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
15 (2023)
by type
general cargo 1, other 14
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
V5
Military & Security
Military - note
The primary duty of the NDF is to safeguard Namibia's territorial sovereignty and national interests; additional tasks encompass aiding civil authorities and engaging in peacekeeping and stability operations under the auspices of the African Union, Southern African Development Community, and the United Nations. Namibia maintains defense partnerships with various nations, including Botswana, India, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The NDF was established in 1990, primarily by integrating demobilized former members of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF). The PLAN served as the military wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), while the SWATF acted as a support unit to the South African Defense Force, representing the military forces of the former South West Africa from 1977 until 1989. Between 1990 and 1995, the British military played a crucial role in the formation and training of the NDF (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Namibian Army, Namibian Navy, Namibian Air Force (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Voluntary military service is available for individuals aged 18 to 25 years, applicable to both men and women; there is no conscription (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The NDF's arsenal is predominantly composed of weapons and equipment from the Soviet era; in the past decade, it has acquired a limited selection of modern weapon systems from China and South Africa. Additionally, Namibia has a modest defense manufacturing sector that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The estimated number of active personnel in the Namibian Defense Forces is around 12,000 (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
1,399 (2024 est.)
refugees
6,575 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
14,796 (2024 est.)
