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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.na

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

78,280 (2012) country comparison to the world: 84

Internet users [time series]

127,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

171,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 130

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.435 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 137

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.325 billion expenditures: $5.126 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-6.5% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Central bank discount rate [time series]

5.5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 12% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

9.25% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 8.7% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$658.4 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 -$414 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$4.312 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $4.292 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

59.7 (2010) country comparison to the world: 6 70.7 (2003)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 11.5% 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 and quarrying sectors employs only about 1.8% 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 and other commodities. 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.

Exchange rates [time series]

Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 9.282 (2013 est.) 8.2031 (2012 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.75 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$5.124 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.883 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, white fish and mollusks

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$12.3 billion (2013 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$17.79 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $17.05 billion (2012 est.) $16.23 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 59.9% government consumption: 26.2% investment in fixed capital: 22.8% investment in inventories: 0.5% exports of goods and services: 41.4% imports of goods and services: -50.9% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 7.7% industry: 29.6% services: 62.6% (2013 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$8,200 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $7,900 (2012 est.) $7,600 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 5% (2012 est.) 5.7% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

NA% (2013 est.) 30.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 27% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 42% (2010)

Imports [time series]

$7.084 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $6.44 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Industries [time series]

meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, pasta, beverages; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 6.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

880,400 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.305 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.152 billion (31 December 2011) $1.176 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

28.7% 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 (2010 est.)

Public debt [time series]

27.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 25.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.267 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $1.738 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$7.22 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $7.228 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$5.942 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $6.266 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$2.723 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $2.941 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

35.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Unemployment rate [time series]

27.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 51.2% (2008 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

3.217 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.238 billion kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Electricity - exports [time series]

89 million kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

31.8% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

68.2% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - imports [time series]

2.907 billion kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

487,000 kW (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - production [time series]

1.331 billion kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

22,990 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

20,810 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 824,292 sq km country comparison to the world: 34 land: 823,290 sq km water: 1,002 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Climate [time series]

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Coastline [time series]

1,572 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.29 cu km/yr (25%/5%/70%) per capita: 146 cu m/yr (2002)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

75.73 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.97% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.02% (2011)

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

prolonged periods of drought

Natural resources [time series]

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Terrain [time series]

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east

Total renewable water resources [time series]

17.72 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

drafted 9 February 1990, signed 16 March 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990; amended 1998, 2010 (2010)

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005); note - the president is both 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 theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no single candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round of voting, a run-off election is scheduled between the two candidates with the greatest vote count; election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.8%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI] Congress of Democrats or COD [Benjamin ULENGA] Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [McHenry VENAANI] Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurgie VILJOEN] National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO] Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA] Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE] South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA] South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA] United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus //GAROEB]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

National Society for Human Rights or NSHR (NAMRIGHTS as of 2010) various labor unions

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 568,231 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 351,431 females age 16-49: 311,513 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 26,413 female: 26,038 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2013)

Military expenditures [time series]

3.11% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 19 3.38% of GDP (2011) 3.11% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 31.7% (male 352,368/female 345,593) 15-24 years: 23.1% (male 256,965/female 251,276) 25-54 years: 35.9% (male 410,736/female 378,678) 55-64 years: 4.8% (male 47,832/female 58,602) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 41,697/female 54,659) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

20.28 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

17.5% (2007) country comparison to the world: 39

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

55.1% (2006/07)

Death rate [time series]

13.6 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 64.2 % youth dependency ratio: 58.3 % elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 % potential support ratio: 17 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 98.4% of population rural: 87.4% of population total: 91.7% of population unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population rural: 12.6% of population total: 8.3% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

8.4% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 9

Ethnic groups [time series]

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%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

13.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

5,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

220,100 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

5.3% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 132

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 45.64 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 46 male: 48.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

Oshiwambo languages 48.9%, Nama/Damara 11.3%, Afrikaans 10.4% (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), Otjiherero languages 8.6%, Kavango languages 8.5%, Caprivi languages 4.8%, English (official) 3.4%, other African languages 2.3%, other 1.7% note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 Indo-European languages (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 51.85 years country comparison to the world: 215 male: 52.22 years female: 51.46 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.8% male: 89% female: 88.5% (2010 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

WINDHOEK (capital) 380,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

200 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 53

Median age [time series]

total: 22.8 years male: 22.8 years female: 22.8 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

21.4 note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2006-07 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian

Net migration rate [time series]

0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

9.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 133

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.37 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population [time series]

2,198,406 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 2014 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.67% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Religions [time series]

Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 56.1% of population rural: 16.9% of population total: 32.2% of population unimproved: urban: 43.9% of population rural: 83.1% of population total: 67.8% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 1.09 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.25 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 40.1% country comparison to the world: 13 male: 29.4% female: 34.3% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 38.4% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Namibia is predominantly a country of origin and destination for children and, to a lesser extent, women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; victims lured by promises of legitimate jobs are forced to work in hazardous condition in urban centers and on commercial farms; traffickers exploit Namibian children, as well as children from Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, for forced labor in agriculture, cattle herding, domestic service, and criminal activities; children are also forced into prostitution, often catering to tourists from southern Africa and Europe; girls of the San tribe are particularly vulnerable tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Namibia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2012, the government launched a National Plan of Action on Gender-Based Violence, which included addressing human trafficking but did not complete its draft comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation or obtain parliamentary passage of the Child Care and Protection Bill, which would criminalize child trafficking; a process has been developed for referring trafficking victims for assistance but a system for screening potential victims and providing official designation of trafficking victim status is lacking (2013)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

112 (2013) country comparison to the world: 52

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 [time series]

total: 93 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 52 under 914 m: 16 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 152 by type: cargo 1 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Luderitz, Walvis Bay

Railways [time series]

total: 2,626 km country comparison to the world: 64 narrow gauge: 2,626 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 44,138 km country comparison to the world: 82 paved: 6,387 km unpaved: 37,751 km (2010)