{
  "Introduction": {
    "Background": {
      "text": "Various ethnic groups occupied southwestern Africa prior to Germany establishing a colony over most of the territory in 1884. South Africa occupied the colony, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 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 gained independence in 1990, and SWAPO has governed it since, although the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. President Hage GEINGOB was elected in 2014 in a landslide victory, replacing Hifikepunye POHAMBA, who stepped down after serving two terms. SWAPO retained its parliamentary super majority in the 2014 elections. In 2019 elections, GEINGOB was reelected but by a substantially reduced majority, and SWAPO narrowly lost its super majority in parliament."
    }
  },
  "Geography": {
    "Location": {
      "text": "Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa"
    },
    "Geographic coordinates": {
      "text": "22 00 S, 17 00 E"
    },
    "Map references": {
      "text": "Africa"
    },
    "Area": {
      "total ": {
        "text": "824,292 sq km"
      },
      "land": {
        "text": "823,290 sq km"
      },
      "water": {
        "text": "1,002 sq km"
      }
    },
    "Area - comparative": {
      "text": "almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska"
    },
    "Land boundaries": {
      "total": {
        "text": "4,220 km"
      },
      "border countries": {
        "text": "Angola 1,427 km; Botswana 1,544 km; South Africa 1,005 km; Zambia 244 km"
      }
    },
    "Coastline": {
      "text": "1,572 km"
    },
    "Maritime claims": {
      "territorial sea": {
        "text": "12 nm"
      },
      "contiguous zone": {
        "text": "24 nm"
      },
      "exclusive economic zone": {
        "text": "200 nm"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic"
    },
    "Terrain": {
      "text": "mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east"
    },
    "Elevation": {
      "highest point": {
        "text": "Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m"
      },
      "lowest point": {
        "text": "Atlantic Ocean 0 m"
      },
      "mean elevation": {
        "text": "1,141 m"
      }
    },
    "Natural resources": {
      "text": "diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "47.1% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 1% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 46.2% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "7.9% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "45% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Irrigated land": {
      "text": "80 sq km (2012)"
    },
    "Major rivers (by length in km)": {
      "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth"
    },
    "Major watersheds (area sq km)": {
      "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)"
    },
    "Major aquifers": {
      "text": "Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map"
    },
    "Natural hazards": {
      "text": "prolonged periods of drought"
    },
    "Geography - note": {
      "text": "the Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; Namibia is the 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; Namib-Naukluft National Park (49,768 sq km), is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world"
    }
  },
  "People and Society": {
    "Population": {
      "total": {
        "text": "2,803,660 (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "1,377,286"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "1,426,374"
      }
    },
    "Nationality": {
      "noun": {
        "text": "Namibian(s)"
      },
      "adjective": {
        "text": "Namibian"
      }
    },
    "Ethnic groups": {
      "text": "Ovambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%"
    },
    "Languages": {
      "text": "Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4%, Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages"
    },
    "Religions": {
      "text": "Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Age structure": {
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "34.1% (male 482,790/female 473,306)"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "62% (male 846,810/female 890,099)"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "3.9% (2024 est.) (male 47,686/female 62,969)"
      }
    },
    "Dependency ratios": {
      "total dependency ratio": {
        "text": "67.3"
      },
      "youth dependency ratio": {
        "text": "60.6"
      },
      "elderly dependency ratio": {
        "text": "6.7"
      },
      "potential support ratio": {
        "text": "14.8 (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Median age": {
      "total": {
        "text": "22.8 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "22.1 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "23.5 years"
      }
    },
    "Population growth rate": {
      "text": "1.72% (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Birth rate": {
      "text": "24.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Death rate": {
      "text": "7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Net migration rate": {
      "text": "0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map"
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "54.9% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major urban areas - population": {
      "text": "477,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2023)"
    },
    "Sex ratio": {
      "at birth": {
        "text": "1.03 male(s)/female"
      },
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "1.02 male(s)/female"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "0.95 male(s)/female"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "0.76 male(s)/female"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Mother's mean age at first birth": {
      "text": "21.6 years (2013 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49"
    },
    "Maternal mortality ratio": {
      "text": "215 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Infant mortality rate": {
      "total": {
        "text": "27.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "31 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "24.7 deaths/1,000 live births"
      }
    },
    "Life expectancy at birth": {
      "total population": {
        "text": "65.9 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "64.2 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "67.6 years"
      }
    },
    "Total fertility rate": {
      "text": "2.89 children born/woman (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Gross reproduction rate": {
      "text": "1.43 (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Contraceptive prevalence rate": {
      "text": "56.1% (2013)"
    },
    "Drinking water source": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 98.9% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 83.2% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 91.4% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 1.1% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 16.8% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 8.6% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Current health expenditure": {
      "text": "9.4% of GDP (2021)"
    },
    "Physician density": {
      "text": "0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)"
    },
    "Hospital bed density": {
      "text": "2.7 beds/1,000 population"
    },
    "Sanitation facility access": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 70.6% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 23.6% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 48.1% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 29.4% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 76.4% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 51.9% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": {
      "text": "17.2% (2016)"
    },
    "Alcohol consumption per capita": {
      "total": {
        "text": "2.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "beer": {
        "text": "1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "wine": {
        "text": "0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "spirits": {
        "text": "0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "other alcohols": {
        "text": "0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Tobacco use": {
      "total": {
        "text": "15.1% (2020 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "24.2% (2020 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "6% (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": {
      "text": "13.2% (2013)"
    },
    "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": {
      "text": "33.3% (2023 est.)"
    },
    "Education expenditures": {
      "text": "9.6% of GDP (2021 est.)"
    },
    "Literacy": {
      "definition": {
        "text": "age 15 and over can read and write"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "92.3%"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "90.6%"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "92.3% (2021)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Environment": {
    "Environment - current issues": {
      "text": "depletion and degradation of water and aquatic resources; desertification; land degradation; loss of biodiversity and biotic resources; wildlife poaching"
    },
    "Environment - international agreements": {
      "party to": {
        "text": "Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands"
      },
      "signed, but not ratified": {
        "text": "none of the selected agreements"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "47.1% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 1% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 46.2% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "7.9% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "45% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "54.9% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Food insecurity": {
      "severe localized food insecurity": {
        "text": "<em><em>due to localized shortfalls in cereal production and </em></em><em>rising food prices </em><em>- </em>an estimated 390,000 people faced acute food insecurity in the January to March 2023 period, lower than the figure in the corresponding period of 2022; high food prices and localized weather induced shortfalls in cereal production in 2022 were the key drivers (2023)"
      }
    },
    "Revenue from forest resources": {
      "text": "0.47% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Revenue from coal": {
      "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Air pollutants": {
      "particulate matter emissions": {
        "text": "11.81 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)"
      },
      "carbon dioxide emissions": {
        "text": "4.23 megatons (2016 est.)"
      },
      "methane emissions": {
        "text": "10.4 megatons (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Waste and recycling": {
      "municipal solid waste generated annually": {
        "text": "256,729 tons (1993 est.)"
      },
      "municipal solid waste recycled annually": {
        "text": "11,553 tons (2005 est.)"
      },
      "percent of municipal solid waste recycled": {
        "text": "4.5% (2005 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major rivers (by length in km)": {
      "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth"
    },
    "Major watersheds (area sq km)": {
      "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)"
    },
    "Major aquifers": {
      "text": "Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin"
    },
    "Total water withdrawal": {
      "municipal": {
        "text": "70 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "industrial": {
        "text": "10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural": {
        "text": "201 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Total renewable water resources": {
      "text": "39.91 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)"
    }
  },
  "Government": {
    "Country name": {
      "conventional long form": {
        "text": "Republic of Namibia"
      },
      "conventional short form": {
        "text": "Namibia"
      },
      "local long form": {
        "text": "Republic of Namibia"
      },
      "local short form": {
        "text": "Namibia"
      },
      "former": {
        "text": "German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Suedwestafrika), South-West Africa"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "named for the coastal Namib Desert; the word <em>namib </em>comes from the local Nama language and means \"an area where there is nothing\""
      }
    },
    "Government type": {
      "text": "presidential republic"
    },
    "Capital": {
      "name": {
        "text": "Windhoek"
      },
      "geographic coordinates": {
        "text": "22 34 S, 17 05 E"
      },
      "time difference": {
        "text": "UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "may derive from the Afrikaans word \"wind-hoek\" meaning \"windy corner\""
      }
    },
    "Administrative divisions": {
      "text": "14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi; note - the Karas Region was renamed //Karas in September 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language"
    },
    "Independence": {
      "text": "21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)"
    },
    "National holiday": {
      "text": "Independence Day, 21 March (1990)"
    },
    "Legal system": {
      "text": "mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law"
    },
    "Constitution": {
      "history": {
        "text": "adopted 9 February 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990"
      },
      "amendment process": {
        "text": "passage requires majority vote of the National Assembly membership and of the National Council of Parliament and assent of the president of the republic; if the National Council fails to pass an amendment, the president can call for a referendum; passage by referendum requires two-thirds majority of votes cast; amendments that detract from or repeal constitutional articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended, and the requisite majorities needed by Parliament to amend the constitution cannot be changed"
      }
    },
    "International law organization participation": {
      "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction"
    },
    "Citizenship": {
      "citizenship by birth": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "citizenship by descent only": {
        "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia"
      },
      "dual citizenship recognized": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "residency requirement for naturalization": {
        "text": "5 years"
      }
    },
    "Suffrage": {
      "text": "18 years of age; universal"
    },
    "Executive branch": {
      "chief of state": {
        "text": "President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)"
      },
      "head of government": {
        "text": "President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)"
      },
      "cabinet": {
        "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly"
      },
      "elections/appointments": {
        "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; note- President Hage GEINGOB died on 4 February 2024, and Vice President MBUMBA was sworn in to run the government until the next presidential election in November 2024; note- Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH won the 7 December 2024 election with her inauguration scheduled for 21 March 2025"
      },
      "election results": {
        "text": "<em>2024:</em> Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH elected president in the first round; percent of vote -Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (SWAPO) 57%, Panduleni  ITULA (IPC) 26%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.10%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 4.72%, Job AMUPANDA (AR) 1.80%, Hendrik GAOBEAB (UDF) 1.16%; other 3.31%<br><br><em>2019:</em> Hage GEINGOB reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, other .9% <p> </p>"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch": {
      "legislature name": {
        "text": "Parliament"
      },
      "legislative structure": {
        "text": "bicameral"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch - lower chamber": {
      "chamber name": {
        "text": "National Assembly"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "104 (96 directly elected; 8 appointed)"
      },
      "electoral system": {
        "text": "proportional representation"
      },
      "scope of elections": {
        "text": "full renewal"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "5 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "11/27/2024 to 11/30/2024"
      },
      "parties elected and seats per party": {
        "text": "SWAPO Party (51); Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) (20); Affirmative Repositioning (AR) (6); Landless People's Movement (LPM) (5); Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) (5); Other (9)"
      },
      "percentage of women in chamber": {
        "text": "40.6%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "November 2029"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch - upper chamber": {
      "chamber name": {
        "text": "National Council"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "42 (all indirectly elected)"
      },
      "electoral system": {
        "text": "proportional representation"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "5 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "12/15/2020"
      },
      "percentage of women in chamber": {
        "text": "14.3%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "December 2025"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly"
    },
    "Judicial branch": {
      "highest court(s)": {
        "text": "Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges in quorum sessions)"
      },
      "judge selection and term of office": {
        "text": "judges appointed by the president of Namibia on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission; judges serve until age 65, but terms can be extended by the president until age 70"
      },
      "subordinate courts": {
        "text": "High Court; Electoral Court, Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts"
      }
    },
    "Political parties": {
      "text": "All People's Party or APP <br>Christian Democratic Voice or CDV <br>Landless People's Movement or LPM <br>National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO <br>Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF <br>Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance or DTA) <br>Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP <br>Republican Party or RP<br>South West Africa National Union or SWANU <br>South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO <br>United Democratic Front or UDF <br>United People's Movement or UPM"
    },
    "International organization participation": {
      "text": "ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP (associate observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, 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, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO"
    },
    "Diplomatic representation in the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Margareth Natalie MENSAH-WILLIAMS (since 18 January 2021)"
      },
      "chancery": {
        "text": "1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 986-0540"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 986-0443"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>info@namibiaembassyusa.org<br><br>https://namibiaembassyusa.org/"
      }
    },
    "Diplomatic representation from the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Brandon HUDSPETH (since 1 January 2025)"
      },
      "embassy": {
        "text": "38 Metje Street, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek"
      },
      "mailing address": {
        "text": "2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-2540"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[264] (61) 202-5000"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[264] (61) 202-5219"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>ConsularWindhoek@state.gov<br><br>https://na.usembassy.gov/"
      }
    },
    "Flag description": {
      "text": "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 golden-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 golden-yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources"
    },
    "National symbol(s)": {
      "text": "oryx (antelope); national colors: blue, red, green, white, yellow"
    },
    "National anthem": {
      "name": {
        "text": "\"Namibia, Land of the Brave\""
      },
      "lyrics/music": {
        "text": "Axali DOESEB"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> adopted 1991"
    },
    "National heritage": {
      "total World Heritage Sites": {
        "text": "2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)"
      },
      "selected World Heritage Site locales": {
        "text": "Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (c); Namib Sand Sea (n)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Economy": {
    "Economic overview": {
      "text": "upper middle-income, export-driven Sub-Saharan economy; natural resource rich; Walvis Bay port expansion for trade; high potential for renewable power generation and energy independence; major nature-based tourist locale; natural resource rich; shortage of skilled labor"
    },
    "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": {
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": {
        "text": "$29.944 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": {
        "text": "$28.748 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": {
        "text": "$27.288 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "Real GDP growth rate": {
      "Real GDP growth rate 2023": {
        "text": "4.16% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2022": {
        "text": "5.35% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2021": {
        "text": "3.6% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Real GDP per capita": {
      "Real GDP per capita 2023": {
        "text": "$10,100 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2022": {
        "text": "$9,900 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2021": {
        "text": "$9,700 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "GDP (official exchange rate)": {
      "text": "$12.351 billion (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate"
    },
    "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": {
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023": {
        "text": "5.88% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": {
        "text": "6.08% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": {
        "text": "3.62% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices"
    },
    "Credit ratings": {
      "Fitch rating": {
        "text": "BB (2019)"
      },
      "Moody's rating": {
        "text": "Ba3 (2020)"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained."
    },
    "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "7.7% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "30% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "53.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by end use": {
      "household consumption": {
        "text": "73.3% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "government consumption": {
        "text": "21.8% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in fixed capital": {
        "text": "26.2% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in inventories": {
        "text": "1.5% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "exports of goods and services": {
        "text": "43.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "imports of goods and services": {
        "text": "-66.2% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection"
    },
    "Agricultural products": {
      "text": "root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage"
    },
    "Industries": {
      "text": "mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture"
    },
    "Industrial production growth rate": {
      "text": "9.19% (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Labor force": {
      "text": "1.106 million (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work"
    },
    "Unemployment rate": {
      "Unemployment rate 2023": {
        "text": "19.42% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2022": {
        "text": "19.75% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2021": {
        "text": "20.88% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment"
    },
    "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "38% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "37.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "38.8% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment"
    },
    "Population below poverty line": {
      "text": "17.4% (2015 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line"
    },
    "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": {
      "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2015": {
        "text": "59.1 (2015 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality"
    },
    "Household income or consumption by percentage share": {
      "lowest 10%": {
        "text": "1% (2015 est.)"
      },
      "highest 10%": {
        "text": "47.2% (2015 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population"
    },
    "Remittances": {
      "Remittances 2023": {
        "text": "0.71% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2022": {
        "text": "0.66% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2021": {
        "text": "0.58% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities"
    },
    "Budget": {
      "revenues": {
        "text": "$3.998 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "expenditures": {
        "text": "$4.535 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated"
    },
    "Public debt": {
      "Public debt 2019": {
        "text": "4.64% of GDP (2019 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP"
    },
    "Taxes and other revenues": {
      "text": "27.17% (of GDP) (2022 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP"
    },
    "Current account balance": {
      "Current account balance 2023": {
        "text": "-$1.831 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2022": {
        "text": "-$1.634 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2021": {
        "text": "-$1.407 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports": {
      "Exports 2023": {
        "text": "$5.691 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2022": {
        "text": "$5.361 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2021": {
        "text": "$4.353 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports - partners": {
      "text": "South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports"
    },
    "Exports - commodities": {
      "text": "gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Imports": {
      "Imports 2023": {
        "text": "$8.283 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2022": {
        "text": "$7.424 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2021": {
        "text": "$6.466 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Imports - partners": {
      "text": "South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports"
    },
    "Imports - commodities": {
      "text": "refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": {
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": {
        "text": "$2.956 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": {
        "text": "$2.803 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": {
        "text": "$2.764 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars"
    },
    "Exchange rates": {
      "Currency": {
        "text": "Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2023": {
        "text": "18.446 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2022": {
        "text": "16.356 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2021": {
        "text": "14.779 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2020": {
        "text": "16.463 (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2019": {
        "text": "14.449 (2019 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Energy": {
    "Electricity access": {
      "electrification - total population": {
        "text": "56.2% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "electrification - urban areas": {
        "text": "74.8%"
      },
      "electrification - rural areas": {
        "text": "33.2%"
      }
    },
    "Electricity": {
      "installed generating capacity": {
        "text": "646,000 kW (2023 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "3.891 billion kWh (2023 est.)"
      },
      "exports": {
        "text": "169 million kWh (2023 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "2.917 billion kWh (2023 est.)"
      },
      "transmission/distribution losses": {
        "text": "747.409 million kWh (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity generation sources": {
      "fossil fuels": {
        "text": "1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      },
      "solar": {
        "text": "26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      },
      "wind": {
        "text": "1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      },
      "hydroelectricity": {
        "text": "70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Coal": {
      "consumption": {
        "text": "24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)"
      },
      "exports": {
        "text": "900 metric tons (2023 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "26,000 metric tons (2023 est.)"
      },
      "proven reserves": {
        "text": "350 million metric tons (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Petroleum": {
      "refined petroleum consumption": {
        "text": "23,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Natural gas": {
      "proven reserves": {
        "text": "62.297 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Carbon dioxide emissions": {
      "total emissions": {
        "text": "3.46 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "from coal and metallurgical coke": {
        "text": "48,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "from petroleum and other liquids": {
        "text": "3.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Energy consumption per capita": {
      "Total energy consumption per capita 2023": {
        "text": "21.734 million Btu/person (2023 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Communications": {
    "Telephones - fixed lines": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "81,000 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "3 (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telephones - mobile cellular": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "2.6 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "113 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telecommunication systems": {
      "general assessment": {
        "text": "the government&rsquo;s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024; mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years; by 2023, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage; despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020; the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy; Namibia&rsquo;s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables; this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries; in June 2022 Namibia was connected to a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)"
      },
      "domestic": {
        "text": "fixed-line subscribership is 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 113 per 100 persons (2022) (2021)"
      },
      "international": {
        "text": "country code - 264;&nbsp;landing points for the ACE and WACS&nbsp;fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)"
      }
    },
    "Broadcast media": {
      "text": "1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available"
    },
    "Internet country code": {
      "text": ".na"
    },
    "Internet users": {
      "percent of population": {
        "text": "62% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": {
      "total": {
        "text": "104,000 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "4 (2023 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Transportation": {
    "National air transport system": {
      "number of registered air carriers": {
        "text": "2 (2020)"
      },
      "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": {
        "text": "21"
      },
      "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "602,893 (2018)"
      },
      "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "26.29 million (2018) mt-km"
      }
    },
    "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": {
      "text": "V5"
    },
    "Airports": {
      "text": "259 (2025)"
    },
    "Heliports": {
      "text": "1 (2025)"
    },
    "Railways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "2,628 km (2014)"
      },
      "narrow gauge": {
        "text": "2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge"
      }
    },
    "Roadways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "48,875 km"
      },
      "paved": {
        "text": "7,893 km"
      },
      "unpaved": {
        "text": "40,982 km (2018)"
      }
    },
    "Merchant marine": {
      "total": {
        "text": "15 (2023)"
      },
      "by type": {
        "text": "general cargo 1, other 14"
      }
    },
    "Ports": {
      "total ports": {
        "text": "2 (2024)"
      },
      "large": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "medium": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "small": {
        "text": "2"
      },
      "very small": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "ports with oil terminals": {
        "text": "2"
      },
      "key ports": {
        "text": "Luderitz Bay, Walvis Bay"
      }
    }
  },
  "Military and Security": {
    "Military and security forces": {
      "text": "Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2024)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> the Namibian Police Force is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security; it has a paramilitary Special Field Force responsible for protecting borders and government installations"
    },
    "Military expenditures": {
      "Military Expenditures 2023": {
        "text": "2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2022": {
        "text": "3% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2021": {
        "text": "3% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2020": {
        "text": "3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2019": {
        "text": "3.3% of GDP (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Military and security service personnel strengths": {
      "text": "information varies; approximately 12,000 personnel (10,000 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force) (2024)"
    },
    "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": {
      "text": "the NDF's inventory consists of a mix of Soviet-era and some more modern systems from a variety of countries, including Brazil, China, Germany, India, and South Africa; most of the Navy's vessels and the Air Force's fighter aircraft were acquired from China; Namibia has a small defense industry that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2024)"
    },
    "Military service age and obligation": {
      "text": "18-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> as of 2022, women comprised about 23% of the active-duty military"
    },
    "Military - note": {
      "text": "the NDF’s primary responsibility is defending Namibia's territorial integrity and national interests; it has participated in UN and regional peacekeeping and security missions and provides assistance to civil authorities as needed; it also participates in multinational training exercises<br><br>the NDF was created in 1990, largely from demobilized former members of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF); the PLAN was the armed wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), while SWATF was an auxiliary of the South African Defense Force and comprised the armed forces of the former South West Africa, 1977-1989; from 1990-1995, the British military assisted with the forming and training the NDF (2024)"
    }
  },
  "Transnational Issues": {
    "Refugees and internally displaced persons": {
      "refugees (country of origin)": {
        "text": "6,288 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2024)"
      }
    }
  }
}