Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 824,292 sq km
country comparison to the world: 34
land: 823,290 sq km
water: 1,002 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,936 km
border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,572 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.97%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99.02% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
75.73 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.72 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.29 cu km/yr (25%/5%/70%)
per capita: 146 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
prolonged periods of drought
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Namibian(s)
adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,182,852 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 65.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 59.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 %
potential support ratio: 17 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 22.4 years
male: 22.4 years
female: 22.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.75% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.33 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 38.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
WINDHOEK (capital) 342,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.4 (2007 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
200 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 55
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 52.03 years
country comparison to the world: 215
male: 52.36 years
female: 51.69 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.33 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55.1% (2006/07)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 132
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.37 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
180,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.5% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 42
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.3% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 10
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 40.1%
country comparison to the world: 13
male: 29.4%
female: 34.3% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
drafted 9 February 1990, signed 16 March 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990; amended 1998, 2010 (2010)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Society for Human Rights or NSHR (NAMRIGHTS as of 2010)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Martin ANDJABA (since 3 September 2010)
chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT (since 20 July 2010)
embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek
mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500
FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"
lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB
note: adopted 1991
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16.82 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.9 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 59.4%
government consumption: 25.3%
investment in fixed capital: 21.2%
investment in inventories: 0.1%
exports of goods and services: 42.9%
imports of goods and services: -49%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 7.9%
industry: 29.4%
services: 62.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, pasta and beverages; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
911,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 42% (2010)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
59.7 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 6
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $4.524 billion
expenditures: $4.885 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.941 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.433 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.266 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.152 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 107
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-414 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.883 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.44 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.738 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.292 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.643 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.635 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
91 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.519 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
508,000 kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
66.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 202
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22,990 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,810 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 63
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.217 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
171,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 130
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.435 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 137
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.na
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
78,280 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 84
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
127,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 151
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
112 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 52
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 93
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 52
under 914 m:
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,626 km
country comparison to the world: 63
narrow gauge: 2,626 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 44,138 km
country comparison to the world: 82
paved: 6,387 km
unpaved: 37,751 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 152
by type: cargo 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 568,231 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 351,431
females age 16-49: 311,513 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 26,413
female: 26,038 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.11% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 49
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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