People & economy

Namibia: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Namibia: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Diego Delso CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Population & Geography

Population
2,448,255
#140 of 197 countries
Area
824,292 km²
#36 of 248 countries
Density
3.0 / km²
#236 of 245 countries

Namibia has a population of 2,448,255 spread across 824,292 km², giving it an average density of 3.0 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
23.1
Life Expectancy
65.9 yrs
Literacy Rate
87.6%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Namibia is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 37% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$4,188
Cost of Living
37% of US
Inflation
5.9%
Inequality
59.1
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$10,300
Unemployment
19.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 4.0% of Namibia's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$155,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
4.0%
Air Passengers
60,304
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Namibia there are 0.55 doctors per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
0.55/1k
Hospital Beds
2.7/1k
Health Spend
$397/person
Infant Mortality
38.4/1k
Immunization
79%
Safe Drinking Water
86.5%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
38.7%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Namibia, 64% of the population uses the internet: WiFi is easy to find in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 88 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
64.4%
Mobile Subs
88/100
Broadband
3.5/100
Electricity Access
56.7%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data