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%