Namibia’s population grew to 3 022 401 in 2023. The much-anticipated preliminary results of the 2023 census were released in the capital yesterday by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
This census is the fourth population undertaking since Namibia’s independence in 1990, and the first spatially-enabled digital census in the country. The first complete census was conducted in 1991 (1.4 million), followed by the second and third censuses, conducted in 2001 (1.8 million) and 2011 (2.1 million), respectively.
The latest census had to be postponed for two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as resource restrictions.
Statistician general Alex Shimuafeni said the population in urban areas increased by 65.5% between the census of 2011 and 2023, while those in rural areas increased by 26.3% between the two census years.
The regional distribution of the population for 2023 is similar to the distribution for 2011, where Khomas remains the region with the highest population, while Omaheke remains the region with the smallest population.
“Khomas region’s population grew by 152 464 persons, and remains the largest region with a 494 604 population. Omaheke remains the region with the least population, with 102 881, almost four times less than Khomas,” stated Shimuafeni.
Furthermore, the female population outnumbered the male population, with 1 548 177 females and 1 474 224 males. The difference between males and females resembles the 2011 population levels. Females constitute 51.2% of the total population, while 48.8% were males.
Also, the statistician general observed that 71.1% of Namibia’s population is under the age of 35. The population aged 0-14 stands at 37%, 15-59 years (working age) is 56.1%, 60+ years is 6.8%, while 15-34 years (youth) is 34.1%.
On population density, the Ohangwena region has 31.5 persons per km2 and Oshana 26.7 persons per km2, being the most densely-populated regions in Namibia. On the other hand, //Kharas is the most sparsely-populated region.
In 2023, there was also an increase of 291 500 households, representing a 62.7% increase from the 2011 census. “On average, there were 3.8 persons per household in 2023, a decrease in the household size from 4.4 persons per household recorded in 2011,” he noted. At the same occasion, NSA board chairperson Salomo Hei said the census serves as the basis for research, providing essential data for informed decision-making, policy formulation and resources allocation. Furthermore, the implementation of this mandate informs businesses and investors to make informed decisions regarding market opportunities and investment strategies.
“Namibia remains one of the few countries which fully fund their census. This is worth applauding, as there’s no interference.
The provision of significant resources underscores the importance placed on this endeavour, and reflects the government’s commitment and dedication to ensuring the well-being of every Namibian citizen,” noted Hei.
The chairman added that despite collective efforts, the NSA cannot ignore the funding gap which has hampered statistical collection initiatives. This gap, he said, led to a statistics gap, hindering the NSA’s ability to conduct all planned surveys and to gather comprehensive data.
Launching the report, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said beyond the numerical intricacies lies a wealth of information which serves as a compass, guiding in the formulation of strategic policies and programmes, and the allocation of resources.
“Effective governance hinges on decisions rooted in empirical evidence. The census data empowers us to identify priority areas, understand demographic dynamics, and tailor our policies to address the unique needs of various segments of our population. Statistics provide us with a tool to pursue social justice, ensuring that no one is left out. By so doing, we pave the way for a Namibia where every citizen, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to the opportunities needed to thrive,” she observed.
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