Namibia Population: 2,523,983
Namibia is a South African country which has its coast on the Atlantic Ocean. It shares its borders with Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia. Along the coast, it has the Namib Desert and the Kalahari Desert, which is present in the east. Namibia is also home to a wide variety of languages and has 13 recognized national languages that include 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages.
Largest Cities in Namibia by Population
Windhoek has the highest population, followed by Rundu, Walvis Bay, and Oshakati.
CITY NAME | POPULATION |
Windhoek | 268,132 |
Rundu | 58,172 |
Walvis Bay | 52,058 |
Oshakati | 33,618 |
Swakopmund | 25,047 |
Katima Mulilo | 25,027 |
Grootfontein | 24,099 |
Rehoboth | 21,377 |
Katutura | 21,243 |
Otjiwarongo | 21,224 |
Okahandja | 20,879 |
Gobabis | 16,321 |
Keetmanshoop | 15,608 |
Luderitz | 15,137 |
Namibia Population History
Before independence in 1990, the small population of Namibia grew at a rate of 3% annually. This was brought down to 1.4% by 2011 due to decreased fertility and the impact of HIV/AIDS. But the rate again increased, and the population increase rate was 2% annually. Other than that, Namibia shows a steady increase in its population.
Year | Population | Yearly % Change | Yearly Change | Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop % | Urban Population | Country’s Share of World Pop | World Population | Global Rank |
2020 | 2,540,905 | 1.86% | 46,375 | -4,806 | 21.8 | 3.42 | 3 | 55.20% | 1,403,099 | 0.03% | 7,794,798,739 | 143 |
2019 | 2,494,530 | 1.89% | 46,229 | -4,806 | 21.3 | 3.58 | 3 | 54.10% | 1,348,534 | 0.03% | 7,713,468,100 | 143 |
2018 | 2,448,301 | 1.90% | 45,668 | -4,806 | 21.3 | 3.58 | 3 | 52.90% | 1,294,741 | 0.03% | 7,631,091,040 | 143 |
2017 | 2,402,633 | 1.89% | 44,589 | -4,806 | 21.3 | 3.58 | 3 | 51.70% | 1,241,686 | 0.03% | 7,547,858,925 | 143 |
2016 | 2,358,044 | 1.86% | 43,140 | -4,806 | 21.3 | 3.58 | 3 | 50.40% | 1,189,295 | 0.03% | 7,464,022,049 | 143 |
2015 | 2,314,904 | 1.79% | 39,206 | -7,407 | 21.1 | 3.63 | 3 | 49.10% | 1,137,588 | 0.03% | 7,379,797,139 | 143 |
2010 | 2,118,874 | 1.80% | 36,111 | 1,743 | 20.5 | 3.61 | 3 | 42.70% | 904,380 | 0.03% | 6,956,823,603 | 142 |
2005 | 1,938,320 | 1.55% | 28,750 | -188 | 19.5 | 3.6 | 2 | 38.40% | 744,428 | 0.03% | 6,541,907,027 | 146 |
2000 | 1,794,571 | 1.97% | 33,341 | -4,235 | 18.5 | 4.26 | 2 | 34.30% | 614,845 | 0.03% | 6,143,493,823 | 146 |
1995 | 1,627,865 | 2.58% | 38,992 | -3,456 | 18 | 4.89 | 2 | 30.30% | 493,517 | 0.03% | 5,744,212,979 | 145 |
1990 | 1,432,905 | 3.64% | 46,951 | 7,621 | 17.5 | 5.55 | 2 | 27.30% | 391,253 | 0.03% | 5,327,231,061 | 147 |
1985 | 1,198,148 | 2.52% | 28,084 | -5,814 | 16.4 | 6.2 | 1 | 25.30% | 302,761 | 0.02% | 4,870,921,740 | 147 |
1980 | 1,057,727 | 2.22% | 21,961 | -8,860 | 16.7 | 6.46 | 1 | 24.00% | 253,837 | 0.02% | 4,458,003,514 | 147 |
1975 | 947,921 | 3.01% | 26,090 | -539 | 17.7 | 6.6 | 1 | 22.60% | 213,999 | 0.02% | 4,079,480,606 | 146 |
1970 | 817,469 | 2.67% | 20,177 | -216 | 18.4 | 6.3 | 1 | 21.30% | 173,960 | 0.02% | 3,700,437,046 | 146 |
1965 | 716,584 | 2.47% | 16,488 | 0 | 18.9 | 6.2 | 1 | 19.10% | 136,750 | 0.02% | 3,339,583,597 | 147 |
1960 | 634,142 | 2.23% | 13,259 | 0 | 19.5 | 6.1 | 1 | 17.00% | 107,909 | 0.02% | 3,034,949,748 | 146 |
1955 | 567,847 | 2.00% | 10,693 | 0 | 20.3 | 6 | 1 | 14.70% | 83,453 | 0.02% | 2,773,019,936 | 147 |
Namibia Population forecast
According to the econometric models, the population of Namibia is estimated to reach 2.56 million by the end of 2020. It is also projected to trend around 2.60 million and 2.64 million in the coming years 2021 and 2022, respectively. By the year 2050, it is expected to reach around 3.9 million residents in Namibia.
Year | Population | Yearly % Change | Yearly Change | Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop % | Urban Population | Country’s Share of World Pop | World Population | Global Rank |
2020 | 2,540,905 | 1.88% | 45,200 | -4,806 | 21.8 | 3.42 | 3 | 55.20% | 1,403,099 | 0.03% | 7,794,798,739 | 143 |
2025 | 2,774,200 | 1.77% | 46,659 | -3,989 | 22.5 | 3.42 | 3 | 60.70% | 1,683,548 | 0.03% | 8,184,437,460 | 142 |
2030 | 3,010,871 | 1.65% | 47,334 | -3,311 | 23.3 | 3.42 | 4 | 65.50% | 1,972,115 | 0.04% | 8,548,487,400 | 141 |
2035 | 3,252,235 | 1.55% | 48,273 | -2,748 | 24.4 | 3.42 | 4 | 69.50% | 2,261,493 | 0.04% | 8,887,524,213 | 138 |
2040 | 3,496,970 | 1.46% | 48,947 | -2,281 | 25.7 | 3.42 | 4 | 72.80% | 2,546,440 | 0.04% | 9,198,847,240 | 138 |
2045 | 3,741,831 | 1.36% | 48,972 | -1,894 | 26.9 | 3.42 | 5 | 75.60% | 2,829,120 | 0.04% | 9,481,803,274 | 134 |
2050 | 3,981,130 | 1.25% | 47,860 | 28.1 | 3.42 | 5 | 78.30% | 3,116,044 | 0.04% | 9,735,033,990 | 133 |
Namibia Demographics
According to UN data, the current population of Namibia is 2,523,825 and represents only 0.03% of the world population. It stands at the position of 143 in the ranking of countries based on population. In simple terms, it can be said that one person out of every 3006 people is a resident belonging to Namibia. The population density is 3 persons per km2. 55.2% of the total population is urban. The median age present in Namibia is 21.8 years, and the life expectancy at birth is 64.86 years.
Namibia Religion & Politics
The majority of the population belongs to the Christian community. Today most Christians are either Lutheran, protestant, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, African Methodist Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, or Mormons. About 10%–20% of the population follows indigenous beliefs. Islam and the Jewish community is also found in small numbers.
Politically Namibia enjoys the status of Republic with executive President. The elected President of Namibia serves a five-year term as both head of state and the head of government.
Namibia Economy
Namibia’s economy heavily relies on the extraction and processing of minerals which are exported. About 12.5% of GDP can be accounted to mining. It is also one of the world’s largest uranium producers.
Largest Countries in the World by Population
S.No | Country | Population (2020) | World Population Share (%) |
1 | China | 1,439,323,776 | 18.47% |
2 | India | 1,380,004,385 | 17.70% |
3 | United States | 331,002,651 | 4.25% |
4 | Indonesia | 273,523,615 | 3.51% |
5 | Pakistan | 220,892,340 | 2.83% |
6 | Brazil | 212,559,417 | 2.73% |
7 | Nigeria | 206,139,589 | 2.64% |
8 | Bangladesh | 164,689,383 | 2.11% |
9 | Russia | 145,934,462 | 1.87% |
10 | Mexico | 128,932,753 | 1.65% |