Africa :: Namibia

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## Introduction ::Namibia

Background:
South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. POHAMBA was reelected in November 2009.

## Geography ::Namibia

Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 824,292 sq km country comparison to the world: 34 land: 823,290 sq km water: 1,002 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline:
1,572 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain:
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 0.97% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.02% (2011)
Irrigated land:
75.73 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
17.72 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.29 cu km/yr (25%/5%/70%) per capita: 146 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
prolonged periods of drought
Environment - current issues:
limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

## People and Society ::Namibia

Nationality:
noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups:
black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Languages:
English (official) 7%, Afrikaans (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), German 32%, indigenous languages (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) 1%
Religions:
Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Population:
2,182,852 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2013 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.6% (male 358,876/female 352,068) 15-24 years: 23.1% (male 254,809/female 249,256) 25-54 years: 35.3% (male 399,283/female 370,202) 55-64 years: 4.8% (male 47,261/female 57,565) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 40,756/female 52,776) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 22.4 years male: 22.4 years female: 22.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.75% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Birth rate:
20.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Death rate:
13.33 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Net migration rate:
0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Urbanization:
urban population: 38.4% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
WINDHOEK (capital) 342,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
21.4 (2007 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
200 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 55
Infant mortality rate:
total: 45.62 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 48 male: 48.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.03 years country comparison to the world: 215 male: 52.36 years female: 51.69 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.33 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
55.1% (2006/07)
Health expenditures:
6.8% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 90
Physicians density:
0.37 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Hospital bed density:
2.67 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 90% of population total: 93% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 10% of population total: 7% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 57% of population rural: 17% of population total: 32% of population unimproved: urban: 43% of population rural: 83% of population total: 68% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
13.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
180,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
6,700 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
9.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 133
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
17.5% (2007) country comparison to the world: 42
Education expenditures:
8.3% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 10
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.8% male: 89% female: 88.5% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 58.9% country comparison to the world: 2 male: 54.6% female: 63.8% (2008)

## Government ::Namibia

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia local long form: Republic of Namibia local short form: Namibia former: German South-West Africa (Sued-West Afrika), South-West Africa
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Windhoek geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
Administrative divisions:
13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence:
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution:
ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990
Legal system:
mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); Prime Minister Hage GEINGOB (since 4 December 2012) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no single candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round of voting, a run-off election is scheduled between the two candidates with the greatest vote count; election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.8%
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the National Council, primarily an advisory body (26 seats; two members chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms), and the National Assembly (72 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, an additonal six nonvoting members are appointed by the president) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 26-27 November 2010 (next to be held in 2016); National Assembly - last held on 26-27 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2014) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 75.3%, RDP 11.3%, DTA 3.1%, NUDO 3.0%, UDF 2.4%, APP 1.4%, RP 0.8%, COD 0.7%, SWANU 0.6%, other 1.3%; seats by party - SWAPO 54, RDP 8, DTA 2, NUDO 2, UDF 2, APP 1, COD 1, RP 1, SWANU 1
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges in quorum sessions) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president of Namibia upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission; judges serve until age 65 but can be extended by the president until age 70 subordinate courts: High Court; Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts
Political parties and leaders:
All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI] Congress of Democrats or COD [Benjamin ULENGA] Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA] Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN] National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO] Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA] Republican Party or RP [Hendrick MUDGE] South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA] South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA] United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Society for Human Rights or NSHR (NAMRIGHTS as of 2010) various labor unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Martin ANDJABA chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500 FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603
Flag description:
a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and rain; the yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources
National anthem:
name: "Namibia, Land of the Brave" lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB note: adopted 1991

## Economy ::Namibia

Economy - overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Marine diamond mining is becoming increasingly important as the terrestrial diamond supply has dwindled. Namibia is the world's fourth-largest producer of uranium. It also produces large quantities of zinc and is a small producer of gold and other minerals. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions, as shown by Namibia''s 59.7 GINI coefficient. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Namibia receives 30%-40% of its revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Volatility in the size of Namibia''s annual SACU allotment complicates budget planning. Namibia''s economy remains vulnerable to volatility in the price of uranium. The rising cost of mining diamonds, increasingly from the sea, has reduced profit margins. Namibian authorities recognize these issues and have emphasized the need to increase higher value raw materials, manufacturing, and services, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$17.03 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $16.37 billion (2011 est.) $15.61 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.3 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 4.8% (2011 est.) 6.6% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $7,700 (2011 est.) $7,400 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 7.4% industry: 31.3% services: 61.3% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
816,600 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 16.3% industry: 22.4% services: 61.3% note: about half of Namibia's people are unemployed while about two-thirds live in rural areas; roughly two-thirds of rural dwellers rely on subsistence agriculture (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
51.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 36.7% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
55.8% note: the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 42% (2010)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
59.7 (2010) country comparison to the world: 6 70.7 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Budget:
revenues: $4.524 billion expenditures: $4.885 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
36.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Public debt:
25.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 26.4% of GDP (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 5% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 7% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 8.73% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.181 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $3.449 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$7.433 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $8.021 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$6.26 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $5.73 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.152 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 107 $1.176 billion (31 December 2010) $846.3 million (31 December 2009)
Agriculture - products:
millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, pasta and beverages; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate:
7.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Current account balance:
$49.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 -$108.2 million (2011 est.)
Exports:
$4.335 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $4.639 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Imports:
$5.586 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $5.348 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.746 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $1.778 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.302 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $4.187 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 8.203 (2012 est.) 7.2597 (2011 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

## Energy ::Namibia

Electricity - production:
1.643 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - consumption:
3.635 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - exports:
91 million kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - imports:
2.519 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
508,000 kW (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
33.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
66.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
22,990 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Refined petroleum products - imports:
20,810 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - proved reserves:
36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
3.812 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

## Communications ::Namibia

Telephones - main lines in use:
140,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 138
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.24 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 136
Telephone system:
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital domestic: multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2010)
Broadcast media:
1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service is available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.na
Internet hosts:
78,280 (2012) country comparison to the world: 84
Internet users:
127,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151

## Transportation ::Namibia

Airports:
112 (2012) country comparison to the world: 51
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 19 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 93 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 52 under 914 m: 16 (2012)
Railways:
total: 2,626 km country comparison to the world: 63 narrow gauge: 2,626 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 64,189 km country comparison to the world: 70 paved: 5,477 km unpaved: 58,712 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 country comparison to the world: 152 by type: cargo 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Luderitz, Walvis Bay

## Military ::Namibia

Military branches:
Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 568,231 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 351,431 females age 16-49: 311,513 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 26,413 female: 26,038 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 29

## Transnational Issues ::Namibia

Disputes - international:
concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river

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