Population Distribution
As of 2023, the latest population of Namibia is 2,630,073, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).
Total population | 2,630,073 |
Population growth rate | 1.86% |
Birth rate | 27.30 births per 1,000 people |
Life expectancy | |
Overall life expectancy | 52.03 years |
Men life expectancy | 52.36 years |
Women life expectancy | 51.69 years |
Age structure | |
0-14 years | 36.54% |
15-64 years | 59.54% |
65 years and above | 3.93% |
Median age | 23.10 years |
Gender ratio (Male to Female) | 1.02 |
Population density | 3.19 residents per km² |
Urbanization | 32.40% |
Ethnicities | |
especially Bantu peoples: 47% Ovambo, 9% Kavango, 7% Herero, 7% Damara, 5% Nama, 4% Caprivians; 6% whiteness; approx. 35,000 san; approx. 32,000 Rehoboth Basters; approx. 20,000 residents are of German descent | |
Religions | |
Christians 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutherans), indigenous religions 10% to 20% | |
Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.645 |
HDI ranking | 130th out of 194 |
People in Namibia
Almost 2.5 million people live in Namibia. The country is one of the most sparsely populated in the world. The residents belong to many different peoples. The original population of the country includes the San, Nama and Damara. San and Nama also look similar outwardly and speak a click language. The Damara have a similar language.
From the 14th century, the Bantu peoples moved south from East Africa and came here to Namibia. Bantu peoples make up the majority in the country today. The largest group are the Ovambo. They make up about half of the population. Kavango (9 percent of the population) and Herero (7 percent of the population) also speak a Bantu language.
Six out of 100 residents are white. Their ancestors are Boers, English, Portuguese or German. Although there are proportionally far fewer whites than blacks in the country, most of the land is owned by whites, who are mostly the owners of the farms. Only a small part, namely 12 percent, belongs to the black farmers, the rest of the farmland is in the hands of white landowners. The mines and many tourist companies are also in the hands of the white population.
Finally, there are people of mixed origins. They are referred to here as colored. They have black and white parents or ancestors. They also make up about 6 percent of the population.
Around half of the population lives in a city. Most of the people live in the north of the country. 300,000 people live in the capital Windhoek alone. The south is only sparsely populated and the Namib desert on the coast has hardly any residents.
The San
The San Bushmen, the earliest residents of Namibia, are the oldest people in the world. That’s what scientists found out. They were able to adapt perfectly to the harsh living conditions and thus survive. From Africa they then spread all over the world. They are direct descendants of Homo sapiens. Just a few decades ago, the San lived exactly as they had before. They were the perfect survivors.
Languages in Namibia
Because so many peoples live in Namibia, many languages are spoken there. The Bantu peoples have their Bantu languages. The most widespread is Oshivambo, the language of the Ovambo people.
The San, Nama and Damara speak a click language that is noticeable through their clicks and clicks. The Coloreds speak Afrikaans, which is very similar to Dutch. English is mainly used for communication. German is also spoken, especially on some farms.
Namibia Overview
Namibia, located in southwestern Africa, is renowned for its stunning desert landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultural heritage. Its capital city, Windhoek, is a bustling urban center known for its colonial-era architecture and vibrant markets. Namibia is famous for the otherworldly beauty of the Namib Desert, home to towering sand dunes, including the iconic Sossusvlei, and the eerie Skeleton Coast, strewn with shipwrecks. The country’s diverse ecosystems support a wealth of wildlife, including the iconic Etosha National Park, where visitors can spot elephants, lions, and rhinos. Namibia’s rich cultural heritage is celebrated through its diverse ethnic groups, traditional music, and art.
- Capital City: Windhoek
- Population: Approximately 2.5 million
- Area: 825,615 square kilometers
- Full Country Name: Republic of Namibia
- Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD), South African Rand (ZAR)
- Language: English (official), Afrikaans, German, Oshiwambo, others
- ISO Country Codes: NA, NAM
Bordering Countries of Namibia
Namibia is a country in Southern Africa, bordered by Angola, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa. It has a diverse landscape with deserts, savannas, mountains and coastlines. Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world and is home to many unique species of wildlife such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, cheetahs and other big cats. It also has a rich cultural heritage with numerous tribal groups that have lived there for centuries.
Angola is the largest country bordering Namibia to the north-west. It has vast natural resources including oil reserves which contribute to its economy. The capital city of Luanda is home to numerous colonial-era landmarks such as Fortaleza de Sao Miguel and the Fortress of Sao Joao Baptista de Ajuda. The country’s interior features vast savanna plains dotted with baobab trees and wildlife reserves like Quiçama National Park which are great for game viewing safaris.
Botswana lies to the east of Namibia and is home to some of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes including the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta – one of the world’s largest inland deltas. The capital city Gaborone is a vibrant modern city where visitors can explore attractions like National Museum & Art Gallery or take part in thrilling safaris at Chobe National Park which is home to large herds of elephants and other wildlife species.
Zambia lies south-east of Namibia and offers travelers an unforgettable journey through its diverse landscape which includes Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – plus lush rainforests teeming with wildlife like chimpanzees or hippos. Visitors can explore iconic landmarks such as Livingstone Memorial or take part in thrilling activities like whitewater rafting down Zambezi River or hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro.
South Africa lies just south of Namibia and provides travelers with an array of experiences from stunning beaches along Garden Route to vibrant cities like Cape Town or Johannesburg where visitors can explore iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain or take part in thrilling activities such as cage diving with Great White Sharks off Gansbaai coast.