Namibia
Economic Overview
The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export, which accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. 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 the world's worst inequality of income distribution. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African Rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-06.
GDP Growth rate: 4.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Trade per capita (US$, 2003-2005): 2249
Trade to GDP ratio (2003-2005): 83.1
Exports: $2.321 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) | Imports: $2.456 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) |
Exports - commodities: Diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins | Imports - commodities: Foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals |
Exports - partners: South Africa 33.4%, US 4% (2006) | Imports - partners: South Africa 85.2%, US (2006) |
Share in world total merchandise exports: 0.02
Share in world total merchandise imports: 0.02
Share in world total commercial services exports: 0.02
Share in world total commercial services imports: 0.01
Indicators
HEALTH | EDUCATIONAL | ECONOMIC | POLITICAL
GENERAL INDICATORS | ||
| HDI Rank | 125 | |
| GDP (US $ Bill.) | 2004 | 5.7 |
| GDP (PPP US $ Bill.) | 2004 | 14.9 |
| GDP Per Capita (PPP US $) | 2004 | 7418 |
| GDI Rank | 94 | |
| GDI Value | 0.622 | |
| GEM Rank | 26 | |
| GEM Value | 0.623 | |
| Total Population (Mill.) | 1975 | 0.9 |
| 2004 | 2 | |
| 2015a | 2.2 | |
| Total Female population (in '000) | 2006 | 1034 |
| Population living below $ 1 a day in Percentage | 1990-2004 | 34.9 |
| Population living below the national poverty line in Percentage | 1990-2003 | .. |
| Total Fertility Rate (Births per Woman) | 1970-75 | 6.6 |
| 2000-05 | 4 | |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (Adjusted per 100000 live births) | 2000 | 300 |
| Probability of Female Survival at birth to 65 yrs | 2000-05 | 36.7 |
| Probability of Male Survival at birth to 65 yrs | 2000-05 | 31.6 |
| Life Expectancy at Birth (years) | 2004 | 47.2 |
| Female Life Expectancy at Birth (Yrs) | 47.5 | |
| Male Life Expectancy at Birth (Yrs) | 46.8 | |
| Population without sustainable access to safe water in Percentage | 2004 | 13 |
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| Combined Gross Enrolment Ratio* in Percentage | 2004 | 67 |
| Combined Gross Enrolment Ratio* (F) in Percentage | 69 | |
| Combined Gross Enrolment Ratio* (M) in Percentage | 66 | |
| Female Legislators, Officials & Managers (% of Total) | 30 | |
| Female Professionals & Technical Workers (% of Total) | 55 | |
| Adult Literacy Rate (% ages 15 and older) | 2004 | 85 |
| Female Adult Literacy Rate ( % ages 15 and older) | 83.5 | |
| Female Adult Literacy Rate (as % of Male Rate) | 96 | |
| Female Youth Literacy Rate (% ages 15-24) | 93.5 | |
| Female Youth Literacy Rate (as % of Male Rate) | 103 | |
| Net Primary Enrolment Female Ratio (in %) | 77 | |
| Net Primary Enrolment Ratio of Female to Male | 1.08 | |
| Net Secondary Enrolement Female Ratio (in %) | 43 | |
| Net Secondary Enrolment Ratio of Female to Male | 1.35 | |
| Gross Tertiary Enrolment Ratio Female to Male | 1.14 | |
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| Estimated Female Earned Income( PPP US$) | 5416 | |
| Estimated Male Earned Income (PPP US $) | 9455 | |
| Ratio of Female to Male Estimated Earned Income | 0.57 | |
| Female Economic Activity Rate (% ages 15 and older) | 47 | |
| Female Economic Activity ( index, 1990=100, ages 15 and older) | 96 | |
| Female Economic Activity ( as % of male rates, ages 15 and older) | 74 | |
| Female Employment Agriculture (%) | 29 | |
| Male Employment Agriculture (%) | 33 | |
| Female Employment Industry (%) | 7 | |
| Male Employment Industry (%) | 17 | |
| Female Employment Services (%) | 63 | |
| Male Employment in Services (%) | 49 | |
| Women Contributing Family Workers (%) | 59 | |
| Men Contributing Family Workers (%) | 41 | |
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| Seats in Parliament (Women as % of Total) | 26.9 | |
| Female Suffrage Granted (Year) | 1989 | |
| Elections Contesting Rights (Year) (A=Appointed, E=Elected) | 1989 | |
| Year of First Woman Elected | 1989 E | |
| Women Ministers (as % of total) | 19 | |
| Seats held in Lower/Single House by Women (as % of Total) | 26.9 | |
| Seats held in Upper House/Senate by Women (as % of Total) | 26.9 | |
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Source : UNDP HDR 2006
Notes:
.. Data Not Available
a.Data refer to medium-variant projections.
* For Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Schools
