Namibia: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Namibia — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

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 — Namibia has 0.55 physicians 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 available 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