Quick facts
Namibia population overview
Namibia is the 41st most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 3,124,336 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 162 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 78,108 births (25 per 1,000 people) and 19,371 deaths (6.2 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 47 people. The infant mortality rate is 25.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 591,465 in 1960 to 3,092,816 in 2025 — a change of +422.9%, or +2.6% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 21.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 67.8 years; women have on average 3.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 36.7% of residents are under 15 and 3.8% are 65 or older (2025); 50.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Windhoek. Namibia covers 824,290 km², giving a population density of about 3.8 people per km². GDP was $15.08B in 2025 — about $4,876 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Namibia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 3,171,426 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 3,124,336 |
| World rank | #138 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #41 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.038% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.9% |
| Births per year est. | 78,108 |
| Deaths per year est. | 19,371 |
| Net migration per year est. | +47 |
| Birth rate | 25 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 25.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 95.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 21.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 50.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 824,290 km² |
| Population density | 3.8 per km² |
| Capital | Windhoek |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $15.08B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $4,876 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Namibia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 3,171,426 | – | – |
| 2025 | 3,092,816 | +62,685 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 3,030,131 | +67,036 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 2,963,095 | +73,433 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 2,889,662 | +79,114 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 2,810,548 | +81,786 | +3% |
| 2020 | 2,728,762 | +354,462 | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 2,374,300 | +264,489 | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 2,109,811 | +143,229 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 1,966,582 | +147,935 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 1,818,647 | +216,477 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 1,602,170 | +232,867 | +3.2% |
| 1990 | 1,369,303 | +272,413 | +4.5% |
| 1985 | 1,096,890 | +115,456 | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 981,434 | +100,402 | +2.2% |
| 1975 | 881,032 | +123,164 | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 757,868 | +97,310 | +2.8% |
| 1965 | 660,558 | +69,093 | +2.2% |
| 1960 | 591,465 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Namibia
Population over time
- From 591,465 in 1960 to 3,171,426 today — up 436.2%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.5 years (2024), up 19 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 25.9 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 19.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 36.7% of the population is under 15 and 3.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 4.4% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 3.65 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 3.9 Mt in 2016 — down 6.4% since.
- Per person: 1.2 t in 2024, vs 0.98 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 30% of final energy in 2021 (-12.5 points since 1991).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 7.8% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 10.7% to 7.8% since 1990 — roughly 23,461 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 50.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 23.4% in 1960 (+27.5 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2024.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.7% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,132 m³ in 2022, down 79.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $15.08B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 33% since 2015.
- That works out to $4,876 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 19.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.5% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 64.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 85.2 per 100 people (2024).
Namibia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Namibia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Namibia has an estimated population of 3,171,426. The United Nations estimated 3,124,336 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Namibia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.9% per year — roughly 162 more people every day. Each year there are about 78,108 births and 19,371 deaths, with net migration of +47.
What is the population density of Namibia?
About 3.8 people per square kilometre: 3,171,426 people living on 824,290 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Namibia?
The median age is 21.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 67.8 years. 36.7% of the population is under 15 and 3.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Namibia rank by population?
Namibia is the 138th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 41st in Africa, with 0.038% of the global population.
How has the population of Namibia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 591,465; by 2025 it had grown to 3,092,816 (+422.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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MoldovaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.