Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Tannan Groenewald

Also known as: Groenewald

Business

Namibia's economy struggles to keep pace with population growth

The News

The 2023 census revised Namibia's population upward to 3.10 million, implying a 3.3% annual growth rate, which means the economy needs more than 3.3% real GDP growth annually just to avoid declining living standards per capita. Mining-led growth masks a weak non-mining economy that has failed to achieve the required 3.3% growth rate in most years since independence, and especially since 2015.

18 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 April

  1. Namibia's economy struggles to keep pace with population growth

    The 2023 census revised Namibia's population upward to 3.10 million, implying a 3.3% annual growth rate, which means the economy needs more than 3.3% real GDP growth annually just to avoid declining living standards per capita. Mining-led growth masks a weak non-mining economy that has failed to achieve the required 3.3% growth rate in most years since independence, and especially since 2015.

    18 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Global oil volatility pushes Namibian petrol near 2022 record

    Brent crude prices have swung sharply amid Middle East tensions, with Namibian pump prices at Walvis Bay reaching N$22.08 per litre—just 20 cents below their 2022 all-time high. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy will set May fuel prices based on developments over the coming two weeks, as vessel traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Namibia's trade deficit narrows as uranium exports surge

    Namibia's trade deficit improved to N$51.9 billion in 2025 from N$64.7 billion in 2024, driven by strong export growth (up 11.8% in real terms) led by uranium mining's 27% production increase, while imports fell 3.7% in real terms due to lower global oil prices and reduced capital investment spending.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

  1. Census data reveals 32% of Namibians live outside birth regions

    Namibia has strong internal migration patterns, with 32% of residents living in a different region from where they were born, predominantly rural-to-urban and among young male jobseekers. Khomas and Erongo are the largest destinations for internal migrants, while northern regions show the highest out-migration rates.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Namibia's inflation reaches lowest level since 2020

    Namibia recorded an annual inflation rate of 2.4% in February, its lowest since December 2020, driven by low food inflation and recent fuel price cuts that pushed the petrol/diesel CPI item into deflation. However, rising oil prices pose risks to inflation ahead, with potential April fuel increases of 200c/litre projected to add around 0.5 percentage points to headline inflation.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Namibia's inflation basket outdated, masks real cost pressures

    Namibia's Consumer Price Index, based on spending data from 2009/10, significantly underestimates inflation experienced by households, particularly low-income earners who spend more on food and fuel. The basket is being updated in 2027, which may reveal inflation has been higher than headline figures suggest, widening inequality as wage adjustments fail to match actual cost-of-living increases for poorer households.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Namibia's measured inflation masks real cost-of-living pressures

    Despite headline inflation averaging 4.6% over the past decade and reaching just 3.5% in 2025, Namibian households report persistent cost-of-living struggles, largely because the consumer price index basket used to measure inflation is based on 2009 consumption data and no longer reflects actual household spending patterns. A new basket update would likely show higher measured inflation, particularly for essential services and food categories that now consume a larger share of household budgets.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. 75% of employed Namibians support adult dependants

    A 2025 Old Mutual financial monitor report shows that 75% of employed Namibians have adult dependants relying on them for financial support, trapping them in a poverty cycle that prevents savings and wealth accumulation. Economists warn that when one person supports multiple family members, limited income leaves little for daily needs and nothing for long-term investments or generational wealth-building.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 15 February

  1. Namibia's corruption perceptions hit worst level since 2012 index

    Namibia recorded its worst corruption perceptions index score on record in 2025 at 46/100, dropping three points and falling six places globally to 65th. An Afrobarometer survey conducted in 2024 found that over half of Namibians believe corruption has increased significantly, and confidence in government anti-corruption efforts is at its lowest level since 1999.

    15 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 February

  1. Namibia exports N$115 billion Jan–Nov, uranium and gold lead

    Namibia's export basket reached N$115 billion from January to November 2025, with uranium (N$26.3 billion), gold (N$18.1 billion), and fish (N$13.5 billion) as top commodities. About 29% of exports were re-exports, with Namibia leveraging its position as a regional gateway through the Port of Walvis Bay for copper, diamonds, and other goods from neighbouring countries.

    1 February 2026 · The Namibian →

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