Namibia Statistics AgencyreleasedKhomas 2023 Census Regional Profile report
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“This is according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) Khomas 2023 Census Regional Profile report, which was launched this week by Khomas region Governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.”
Namibia Statistics Agencyhas revealed3,088 women in Khomas region divorced, representing 63% of divorcees
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“A total of 3 088 women in the Khomas region have gone through divorce, representing 63% of the divorced population in the region, the Namibia Statistics Agency has revealed.”
Namibia Statistics Agencystateshighest annual inflation rate was recorded in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category
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“The Namibia Statistics Agency states that the highest annual inflation rate was recorded in the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category.”
Namibia Statistics Agencypublished data onconsumer price index showing beef stew cheapest in Windhoek in January
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“Data from the Namibia Statistics Agency on the latest consumer price index shows that residents in zone 2 (the Khomas region) paid N$100.79 for beef stew per kg, which is about N$14 less than what was paid in other regions.”
Namibia Statistics AgencyissuedNamibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin
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“According to the Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin, issued by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), December's exports recorded a 7.5% increase from November, while imports reflected a decrease of 22.9% from N$14.4 billion recorded in the preceding month.”
The Namibia Statistics Agency's 2025 Financial Inclusion Survey found that 49% of adults borrowed money across all forms, up from 42.1% in 2017. The primary purposes for borrowing are food (51.3%), education (22.1%), and transport (16.4%), while 51% of the eligible population reported not borrowing, with 67.5% citing fear of debt as the main reason.
The Namibia Statistics Agency's 2025 Financial Inclusion Survey found that 49% of adults borrowed money across all forms, up from 42.1% in 2017. The primary purposes for borrowing are food (51.3%), education (22.1%), and transport (16.4%), while 51% of the eligible population reported not borrowing, with 67.5% citing fear of debt as the main reason.
A Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey shows that 86% of adults now have access to financial services, up from 78% in 2017, with over 425,700 more Namibians entering the financial system. However, more than half of adults earn N$2,000 or less per month, and many use financial services mainly to survive rather than build wealth.
Namibia is falling behind on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, about 40% of households lack adequate sanitation, with the situation worse in marginalised communities where nearly seven out of every ten households do not have a toilet.
A 2023 Namibia Statistics Agency report shows that over 80% of members of Namibia's marginalised communities have received birth certificates, marking progress in legal identity access. However, gaps remain in national identification, education, employment, technology access, and household living conditions, with the report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census identifying 75,569 marginalised community members (2.5% of the population).
With youth unemployment around 38%, criminal syndicates are exploiting young people's desperation by offering quick cash through illegal activities like cellphone theft and drug dealing. The article argues that social media celebration of criminal acts, absent male role models, and erosion of Namibia's social fabric are worsening the trend of youth turning to crime.
The Namibia Statistics Agency released a report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census showing that marginalized communities—comprising San, Ovatue/Ovatwa, and Ovatjimba peoples (75,569 people, 2.5% of Namibia's population)—face significant challenges in education, employment, housing, and access to basic services. The data aims to support evidence-based planning and policy formulation to address inequalities.
Vendors at Oshakati open market say a N$3 toilet fee is pushing people to relieve themselves in the open behind a sand embankment, with traders arguing that many customers and workers cannot afford to pay each time they need to use the facilities.
Namibia generated 58.3% of its electricity requirements in May through domestic power stations, with local generation reaching 290,390MWh and imports accounting for 41.7% of supply. Ruacana Hydro Power Station remained the dominant source, producing 87.5% of total domestic generation.
Transport costs drove Namibia's June inflation at 12.9% annually, the largest contributor to rising living costs, while overall annual inflation rose to 4.4%. Food price pressures eased, with fish and meat inflation falling sharply year-on-year.
The Lobito Corridor railway, linking mineral-rich DRC regions to Angola's port, is a key development focus for Angola, DRC, Zambia and partners including the US, which committed US$200 billion for infrastructure and pledged to mobilise an additional US$600 billion. The DRC's untapped mineral deposits are valued at over US$24 trillion.
A national housing backlog of 300,000 units and average formal house prices of N$1.44 million have priced 70% of the population out of homeownership, forcing young working professionals in Windhoek to spend up to half their monthly income on rent as rental payments surge and informal settlements expand.
Namibia recorded its largest trade surplus with China in May at N$1.5 billion, placing China ahead of Botswana and Canada as Namibia's most favourable trading partner that month. Despite an overall trade deficit of N$3.1 billion, exports of uranium, fish, gold and diamonds helped cushion rising import costs.
Namibia's trade deficit narrowed to N$3.1 billion in May 2026, with exports of N$12.4 billion and imports of N$15.5 billion, an improvement from the N$4.4 billion deficit in April. Mining products, particularly uranium and diamonds, continued to dominate exports, while imports were driven by petroleum oils and nickel ores.
Sea transportation accounted for N$6.2 billion (50.2% of total exports) in May, led by uranium, nickel ores and fish, according to Namibia Statistics Agency merchandise trade data. Road and air transport contributed 27.8% and 22% respectively, with overall export volumes reaching 393,168 tons.
Namibia's youth unemployment stands at 44%, with 41% of those aged 15–34 not in employment, education, or training. The article argues that investment in research, innovation, and evidence-based development is essential to creating economic opportunities and transforming the economy through new industries and technologies.
MP Nelson Kalangula has warned that escalating disruptions affecting Namibian cross-border truck drivers operating in South Africa could have far-reaching economic consequences for Namibia, particularly due to the country's heavy dependence on South African supply routes. Kalangula noted that some transport operators have withdrawn trucks from South African routes due to safety concerns, reflecting a growing economic risk that could disrupt supply chains and increase pressure on domestic markets.
Real GDP growth recovered to 2.0% in Q1 2026 after near-stagnation in late 2025, but mining contracted 12.2% due to weaker diamond and gold output, while services expanded around 5%. The Bank of Namibia raised its repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75% in June in response to inflation reaching 4.1% in May, the highest in 14 months.
The Namibia Statistics Agency and Khomas regional leadership stressed the importance of improved coordination, funding, and data use during a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics sensitisation meeting. The NSA Statistician General noted that reliable statistics require cooperation among multiple stakeholders including ministries, agencies, local authorities, regional councils, the private sector, academia, and civil society organisations.
Namibian transport companies are withdrawing drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest and a 30 June deadline set by protesters for illegal immigrants to leave. The withdrawals are disrupting cross-border trade, with companies citing driver safety concerns and insurer warnings of security risks.
Hake catches fell from 40 005 tonnes in Q3 to 18 436 tonnes in Q4 2025, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Despite declining catches overall, fish export earnings rose 9.8% year-on-year to N$2.9 billion in Q4, with Spain remaining the top export market.
Namibia's electricity sales in Q1 2026 increased by 2.8% year-on-year, though domestic electricity production declined by 15.3% while imports surged by 32.9%. The Electricity and Water sector recorded a 2.5% increase in real value added, with the Water subsector growing 8.5% while Electricity subsector growth slowed to 0.4%.
Namibia's economy grew to N$70.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, recording real growth of 2.0% year-on-year, slower than 2.8% in the same period last year. Growth was driven by service industries, particularly wholesale and retail trade, financial services, and health and education sectors, but held back by a 12.2% decline in mining and quarrying and a 5.9% fall in manufacturing.
Namibia's gross domestic product grew 2% in real terms during the first quarter of 2026, reaching N$70.9 billion in nominal terms, driven primarily by tertiary industries which expanded 5.1%. Secondary industries contracted 3.1% and primary industries fell 5.7%, with mining and quarrying declining 12.2% due to lower mineral production.
The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.
Sea transport accounted for N$3.8 billion or 39% of Namibia's total exports in April, with uranium, fish, and nickel ores as main commodities, while total export volumes declined 24.8% from March and 28.6% from April 2025.
US President Donald Trump announced that Washington and Tehran reached an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without toll fees and remove the US naval blockade of Iran. Brent crude subsequently dropped nearly 5% to US$83.17 per barrel.
The Namibia Statistics Agency reports that children make up 42.7% of Namibia's three million population, releasing the figure on Day of the African Child. President Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibians to protect children and ensure access to education, clean water, sanitation and safety.
Beverage imports into Namibia averaged N$327 million per month between April 2025 and April 2026, peaking at N$677 million in October 2025, while average monthly exports stood at N$90 million with a high of N$179 million in November 2025.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia notes that rising fuel prices are increasing cost pressures for the mining sector, with diesel and petrol prices rising by N$4.63 and N$1.40 per litre respectively. Despite strong uranium and gold prices, higher transport costs are creating a more challenging operating environment.
Petroleum oils, including diesel and petrol, accounted for 18.1% of Namibia's goods imports in April, the highest share of any product. The country imported goods worth N$14.2 billion but exported only N$9.8 billion, creating a N$4.4 billion trade deficit, with petroleum mainly sourced from Nigeria, Oman and Sweden.