Namibia:  Country Brief

World Bank

dc.creator	World Bank
dc.date	2012-03-19T10:03:27Z
dc.date	2012-03-19T10:03:27Z
dc.date	2009
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-17T20:39:20Z
dc.date.available	2023-02-17T20:39:20Z
dc.identifier	http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000333037_20090522020414
dc.identifier	978-0-8213-7870-0
dc.identifier	http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2630
dc.identifier.uri	http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/CUHPOERS/243025
dc.description	Namibia is a large country in Southern Africa that borders the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola to the north and South Africa to the south. With a surface area of 824,290 square kilometers, it is similar in size to Mozambique and about half the size of the U.S. state of Alaska. Namibia has a small population of approximately 2.1 million people. It is also one of the least densely populated countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an average density of approximately 2.5 people per square kilometer, compared to 34 people per square kilometer for the region as a whole. Namibia was the last colonized country in Sub-Saharan Africa to become independent. After nearly 70 years of South African rule, Namibia gained its independence on March 21, 1990. Until 1990, Namibia's official languages were German, Afrikaans, and English. Following independence, English became the official language, although it is the first language of only a very small percentage of Namibians. Oshiwambo dialects are the mother tongue of approximately half of the population. Namibia, a lower-middle-income country, has one of the highest levels of per capita income in Sub-Saharan Africa. Namibia is one of very few countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that maintains a social safety net for the elderly, the disabled, orphans and vulnerable children, and war veterans. It also has a social security act that provides for maternity leave, sick leave, and medical benefits. Namibia has one of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. The fishing industry is an important source of foreign exchange and a significant employer. The tourism industry in Namibia is similar in size to that in Botswana and is the country's third-largest foreign exchange earner. Namibia is one of the largest producers of gem quality diamonds in the world. It is estimated that 98 percent of its mined diamonds are gem quality. In 2006, almost half of total production was recovered from offshore sources. Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with deserts occupying much of the country. It has no perennial rivers or any other permanent water bodies. Due to the low and erratic rainfall and scarce ground and surface water, less than five percent of the country is arable, including through irrigation. Namibia was the first country in the world to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution. Nearly six percent of its land is nationally protected, including large portions of coastal areas within the Namib Desert.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	World Bank
dc.rights	CC BY 3.0 IGO
dc.rights	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo
dc.rights	World Bank
dc.subject	ACCESS TO EDUCATION
dc.subject	ACCOUNTING
dc.subject	ADULT LITERACY
dc.subject	ADULT MORTALITY
dc.subject	ADULT POPULATION
dc.subject	ANNUAL INCOME
dc.subject	ARABLE LAND
dc.subject	ARSENIC
dc.subject	AUDITS
dc.subject	BASIC EDUCATION
dc.subject	BASIC NEEDS
dc.subject	BIODIVERSITY
dc.subject	BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
dc.subject	BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
dc.subject	CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
dc.subject	CLIMATE CHANGE
dc.subject	CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
dc.subject	COMMERCIAL BANKS
dc.subject	COMMERCIAL FISHING
dc.subject	CONTRACEPTIVE PREVALENCE
dc.subject	CONTRIBUTION
dc.subject	CREDIT RATING
dc.subject	CURRENT ACCOUNT
dc.subject	DEBT
dc.subject	DEFORESTATION
dc.subject	DEMOCRACY
dc.subject	DEVELOPMENT PLANS
dc.subject	DIET
dc.subject	DISEASES
dc.subject	DISSEMINATION
dc.subject	DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH
dc.subject	DROUGHTS
dc.subject	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	ECONOMIC GROWTH
dc.subject	ECOSYSTEM
dc.subject	ELDERLY
dc.subject	ELECTRICITY GENERATION
dc.subject	EMISSIONS
dc.subject	ENDANGERED SPECIES
dc.subject	ENERGY USE
dc.subject	ENVIRONMENTAL
dc.subject	ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
dc.subject	ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
dc.subject	ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
dc.subject	ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
dc.subject	EPIDEMIC
dc.subject	ETHNIC GROUPS
dc.subject	EXCHANGE RATE
dc.subject	EXPENDITURES
dc.subject	FINANCIAL SECTOR
dc.subject	FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
dc.subject	FISCAL POLICIES
dc.subject	FISCAL POSITION
dc.subject	FISH
dc.subject	FISHERIES
dc.subject	FISHING
dc.subject	FISHING GROUNDS
dc.subject	FOOD PRODUCTION
dc.subject	FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS
dc.subject	FOREIGN INVESTMENT
dc.subject	GENDER DISPARITY
dc.subject	GENDER EQUALITY
dc.subject	GOOD GOVERNANCE
dc.subject	GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES
dc.subject	GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
dc.subject	GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
dc.subject	GROUNDWATER
dc.subject	HAZARDOUS WASTES
dc.subject	HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
dc.subject	HEALTH RISKS
dc.subject	HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
dc.subject	HIV
dc.subject	HIV INFECTION
dc.subject	HOSPITAL
dc.subject	HOUSEHOLD INCOME
dc.subject	HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	HUMAN RIGHTS
dc.subject	HUMAN WELFARE
dc.subject	IMMIGRANTS
dc.subject	IMMIGRATION
dc.subject	IMMUNIZATION
dc.subject	IMPORTS
dc.subject	INCOME DISTRIBUTION
dc.subject	INDEBTEDNESS
dc.subject	INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	INDUSTRIALIZATION
dc.subject	INFANT
dc.subject	INFANT MORTALITY
dc.subject	INFANT MORTALITY RATE
dc.subject	INFECTION RATES
dc.subject	INFLATION
dc.subject	INSURANCE
dc.subject	INSURANCE COMPANIES
dc.subject	INTERNATIONAL TRADE
dc.subject	INVESTMENT CLIMATE
dc.subject	JOB CREATION
dc.subject	LABOR COSTS
dc.subject	LABOR FORCE
dc.subject	LABOR MARKET
dc.subject	LABOR PRODUCTIVITY
dc.subject	LAND DEGRADATION
dc.subject	LAND PRODUCTIVITY
dc.subject	LAND TENURE
dc.subject	LAND USE
dc.subject	LEGAL RIGHTS
dc.subject	LEGAL STATUS
dc.subject	LEGISLATION
dc.subject	LEVEL OF EDUCATION
dc.subject	LEVEL OF POVERTY
dc.subject	LEVELS OF EDUCATION
dc.subject	LIFE EXPECTANCY
dc.subject	LIVE BIRTHS
dc.subject	LOCAL COMMUNITIES
dc.subject	MACROECONOMIC STABILITY
dc.subject	MALARIA
dc.subject	MARKET PRICES
dc.subject	MARKETING
dc.subject	MATERNAL MORTALITY
dc.subject	MATERNAL MORTALITY RATIO
dc.subject	MATERNITY LEAVE
dc.subject	MATHEMATICS
dc.subject	MEASLES
dc.subject	MEASLES IMMUNIZATION
dc.subject	MEAT
dc.subject	MEDICAL BENEFITS
dc.subject	MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
dc.subject	MINES
dc.subject	MINISTRY OF HEALTH
dc.subject	MINORITY
dc.subject	MORTALITY RATE
dc.subject	MOTHER
dc.subject	MOTHER-TO-CHILD
dc.subject	MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION
dc.subject	NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
dc.subject	NATIONAL PRIORITIES
dc.subject	NATURAL RESOURCE
dc.subject	NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
dc.subject	NATURAL RESOURCES
dc.subject	NUMBER OF PEOPLE
dc.subject	OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
dc.subject	OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
dc.subject	OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
dc.subject	OIL
dc.subject	OIL EQUIVALENT
dc.subject	ORPHANS
dc.subject	OVERGRAZING
dc.subject	OZONE LAYER
dc.subject	PENSION
dc.subject	PENSION FUNDS
dc.subject	PESTICIDES
dc.subject	POLLUTION
dc.subject	POLLUTION LEVELS
dc.subject	POOR HOUSEHOLDS
dc.subject	POPULATION DENSITY
dc.subject	POPULATION GROWTH
dc.subject	POPULATION STRUCTURE
dc.subject	POVERTY LEVELS
dc.subject	POVERTY LINE
dc.subject	POVERTY REDUCTION
dc.subject	PREGNANT WOMEN
dc.subject	PRENATAL CARE
dc.subject	PRIMARY EDUCATION
dc.subject	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
dc.subject	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
dc.subject	PRIMARY SCHOOL
dc.subject	PRIMARY SCHOOLING
dc.subject	PRIVATE CONSUMPTION
dc.subject	PRIVATE INVESTMENT
dc.subject	PRODUCERS
dc.subject	PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH
dc.subject	PROGRESS
dc.subject	PROPHYLAXIS
dc.subject	PUBLIC HEALTH
dc.subject	PURCHASING POWER
dc.subject	PURCHASING POWER PARITY
dc.subject	QUALITY OF EDUCATION
dc.subject	QUALITY OF LIFE
dc.subject	QUOTAS
dc.subject	REMITTANCES
dc.subject	RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
dc.subject	RESPECT
dc.subject	RESPONSIBILITIES
dc.subject	RULE OF LAW
dc.subject	RURAL AREAS
dc.subject	RURAL POPULATION
dc.subject	SAFETY NET
dc.subject	SANITATION
dc.subject	SANITATION FACILITIES
dc.subject	SEA LEVEL
dc.subject	SECONDARY EDUCATION
dc.subject	SECONDARY SCHOOL
dc.subject	SENIOR
dc.subject	SICK LEAVE
dc.subject	SKILLED WORKERS
dc.subject	SOCIAL COSTS
dc.subject	SOCIAL EQUITY
dc.subject	SOCIAL INEQUALITY
dc.subject	SOCIAL SECURITY
dc.subject	SOCIAL SERVICES
dc.subject	SOCIAL WELFARE
dc.subject	SOIL DEGRADATION
dc.subject	SOIL EROSION
dc.subject	SPECIES
dc.subject	STOCK EXCHANGE
dc.subject	STOCKS
dc.subject	SUBSISTENCE FARMING
dc.subject	SUSTAINABLE ACCESS
dc.subject	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
dc.subject	SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
dc.subject	TAX RATE
dc.subject	TAX RATES
dc.subject	TAXATION
dc.subject	TERMS OF TRADE
dc.subject	TERTIARY EDUCATION
dc.subject	TRADE UNIONS
dc.subject	TREATIES
dc.subject	TUBERCULOSIS
dc.subject	UNEMPLOYMENT
dc.subject	UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
dc.subject	UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
dc.subject	UNSKILLED WORKERS
dc.subject	URBAN AREAS
dc.subject	URBAN POPULATION
dc.subject	URBANIZATION
dc.subject	WAGE
dc.subject	WAGES
dc.subject	WAR
dc.subject	WATER POLLUTION
dc.subject	WATER RESOURCES
dc.subject	WETLANDS
dc.subject	YOUNG PEOPLE
dc.title	Namibia: Country Brief
dc.type	Publications & Research :: Publication
dc.type	Publications & Research :: Publication
dc.coverage	Africa
dc.coverage	Sub-Saharan Africa
dc.coverage	Southern Africa
dc.coverage	Namibia