Introduction
Background
South Africa occupied modern-day Namibia, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II. In 1966, the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia. Namibia gained independence in 1990, and SWAPO has governed it since, though the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology.
Geography
Area
total : 824,292 sq km
land: 823,290 sq km
water: 1,002 sq km
Climate
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Natural resources
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish
People and Society
Population
total: 2,803,660
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%
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% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
1.72% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Windhoek
Executive branch
chief of state: Acting President Nangolo MBUMBA (since 4 February 2024)
head of government: Acting President Nangolo MBUMBA (since 4 February 2024)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (42 seats) and the National Assembly (104 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Margareth Natalie MENSAH-WILLIAMS (since 18 January 2021)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Randy William BERRY (since 9 February 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income, export-driven Sub-Saharan economy; natural resource rich; Walvis Bay port expansion for trade; high potential for renewable power generation and energy independence; major nature-based tourist locale; natural resource rich; shortage of skilled labor
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$29.944 billion (2023 est.)
$28.748 billion (2022 est.)
$27.288 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$11,500 (2023 est.)
$11,200 (2022 est.)
$10,800 (2021 est.)
Exports
$5.641 billion (2023 est.)
$5.314 billion (2022 est.)
$4.341 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
South Africa 28%, Botswana 11%, China 10%, Zambia 5%, France 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
diamonds, gold, fish, radioactive chemicals, ships (2022)
Imports
$8.281 billion (2023 est.)
$7.423 billion (2022 est.)
$6.467 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
South Africa 41%, China 7%, Nigeria 5%, India 4%, UAE 4% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, copper ore, trucks, electricity (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, September 12, 2024
