Quick facts
Windhoek overview
Windhoek (orange) and the other large cities of Namibia
Windhoek lies in Khomas Region in Namibia at 22.56°S, 17.08°E, about 1,700 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Windhoek (UTC+2); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Namibia: the next largest cities are Rundu (75,180), Walvis Bay (73,598), Swakopmund (53,009). Together, the three largest cities hold 16.9% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Okahandja, about 67 km away, followed by Rehoboth (84 km).
Namibia as a whole has a live population of 3,171,601 (+1.9% a year) and ranks #138 of 238 countries — see the Namibia population page for the full statistics and the Namibia atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Windhoek
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Okahandja Otjozondjupa Region | 67 km | 26,832 |
| Rehoboth Hardap Region | 84 km | 34,185 |
| Gobabis Omaheke Region | 194 km | 22,639 |
Largest cities in Namibia
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WindhoekCapital | Khomas Region | 386,219 |
| 2 | Rundu | Kavango East | 75,180 |
| 3 | Walvis Bay | Erongo Region | 73,598 |
| 4 | Swakopmund | Erongo Region | 53,009 |
| 5 | Oshakati | Oshana Region | 43,309 |
| 6 | Rehoboth | Hardap Region | 34,185 |
| 7 | Katima Mulilo | Zambezi Region | 33,615 |
| 8 | Otjiwarongo | Otjozondjupa Region | 33,481 |
| 9 | Ondangwa | Oshana Region | 27,049 |
| 10 | Okahandja | Otjozondjupa Region | 26,832 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Windhoek?
Windhoek has about 386,219 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Windhoek the capital of Namibia?
Yes — Windhoek is the national capital of Namibia.
How big is Windhoek compared with the rest of Namibia?
Its 386,219 residents are 12.2% of the 3,171,601 people living in Namibia today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Windhoek?
In Khomas Region, Namibia, at latitude -22.56 and longitude 17.08, 1,700 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Okahandja (67 km), Rehoboth (84 km), Gobabis (194 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Windhoek Population 2026 — Namibia. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/namibia/windhoek/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/namibia/windhoek/">Windhoek Population 2026 — Namibia</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.