Namibia - Economy
How is the economy of Namibia? Based on the information we have, Namibia has a 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. Key agricultural products in this country include: root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023).
More about the economy of Namibia
Labor force 1.131 million (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate 9.19% (2023 est.)
Industries mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture
Population below poverty line 17.4% (2015 est.)
Taxes and other revenues 27.2% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Fiscal year
Exchange rates
Currency Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024 18.329 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023 18.446 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022 16.356 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021 14.779 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020 16.463 (2020 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024 $3.356 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023 $2.956 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022 $2.803 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023 -$1.809 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022 -$1.611 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021 -$1.393 billion (2021 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2019 4.64% of GDP (2019 est.)
Budget
Revenues $3.998 billion (2022 est.)
Expenditures $4.535 billion (2022 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
Remittances
Remittances 2023 0.71% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022 0.66% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021 0.58% of GDP (2021 est.)
Household income
Lowest 10% 1% (2015 est.)
Highest 10% 47.2% (2015 est.)
Imports
Imports 2023 $8.286 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022 $7.424 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $6.466 billion (2021 est.)
Imports (partners) South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023)
Comodities Imports force refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023)
Exports
Imports 2023 $8.286 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022 $7.424 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $6.466 billion (2021 est.)
Exports (partners) South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023)
Comodities Exports force gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023 $29.944 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022 $28.748 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021 $27.288 billion (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) $12.351 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023 $10,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022 $9,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021 $9,700 (2021 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
Agriculture 7.7% (2023 est.)
Industry 30% (2023 est.)
Services 53.4% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
Household consumption 73.3% (2023 est.)
Government consumption 21.8% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital 26.2% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories 1.5% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services 43.4% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services -66.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024 19.1% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023 19.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022 19.7% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
Total 37.3% (2024 est.)
Male 36.7% (2024 est.)
Female 38% (2024 est.)
All Important Facts about Namibia

Want to know more about Namibia? Check all different factbooks for Namibia below.

Namibia is found in Southern Africa