The Republic of Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa, achieved independence in 1990 after a prolonged struggle. The country is undertaking a land reform process, and is seeking to resettle many thousands of landless citizens. Namibia's official language is English, with Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, and Nama widely spoken. The Republic of Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa, achieved independence in 1990 after a prolonged struggle. The country is undertaking a land reform process, and is seeking to resettle many thousands of landless citizens. Namibia's official language is English, with Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, and Nama widely spoken.

Leader: President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Capital city: Windhoek

Economic profile

Monetary unit: Namibian dollar
GDP per capita: $3 106,82 (2008) (IMF)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 10,4% (2008) (World Bank)
Industry: 36,2% (2008) (World Bank)
Services: 53,4% (2008) (World Bank)
GDP growth rate: 3,3% (2008) (IMF)
Budget:
Government revenue, excluding grants: 35,7% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Government expenditure: 33,3% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Consumer price inflation: 10,3% (2008) (IMF)
Industries: Meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; and mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Exports of goods and services: 49,3% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Imports of goods and services: 46,3% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Export commodities: Diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, and karakul skins
Import commodities: Foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, and chemicals
Trade balance: 1,6% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Reserves: 2,8 months of imports (2007) (IMF
Total investment: 27,4 % of GDP (2008) (IMF)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: 8,5% (2006) (World Bank)

Social profile

Population: 2,1-million (2009) (CIA)
Population growth: 0,95% (2009) (CIA)
Life expectancy at birth: 51 years (2008) (World Bank)
Adult literacy: 92,3% (2001) (UNStats)
School enrolment primary: 99,3% (2005) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 56,3% (2005) (World Bank)
Unemployment: 33,8% (2000)(UNStats)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: 200 000 (2007) (UNAids estimate)

Election profile

Pre-election report

Postelection report