Namibia Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Namibia's dependency ratio was 68.86 in 2025, ranked 46th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Namibia's dependency ratio stood at 68.86 in 2025, a rise of +0.36 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 68.86 by 2025. Namibia ranked 46th globally.
Namibia’s total dependency ratio stood at 68.86 in 2025, placing the country 46th globally according to World Bank data. Over the 66‑year series the ratio has fallen markedly from an early high of 87.38 in 1960, reaching an all‑time peak of 105.43 in 1982 before declining to its lowest point of 66.78 in 2015. The long‑term downward trajectory reflects a gradual ageing of the working‑age population coupled with declining fertility, trends that are mirrored in peer economies such as Rwanda (69.17) and Pakistan (68.78). The post‑peak reduction suggests that Namibia has been successful in moderating the proportion of non‑working children and elderly relative to its labour force, yet the ratio remains above the 2015 trough, indicating that further demographic transition is still underway. Continued improvements in health outcomes and labour‑force participation are likely to sustain the modest decline in dependency, potentially bringing the ratio closer to the levels observed in comparable Sub‑Saharan nations.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 68.76 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 68.81 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 68.86 | - | - |
| 2025 | 68.86 | +0.36 | #46 |
| 2024 | 68.50 | −0.60 | #171 |
| 2023 | 69.10 | −0.38 | #170 |
| 2022 | 69.48 | +0.28 | #170 |
| 2021 | 69.20 | +0.53 | #167 |
| 2020 | 68.68 | +0.48 | #166 |
| 2019 | 68.20 | +0.44 | #164 |
| 2018 | 67.75 | +0.48 | #164 |
| 2017 | 67.28 | +0.36 | #163 |
| 2016 | 66.91 | +0.13 | #162 |
| 2015 | 66.78 | −0.06 | #161 |
| 2014 | 66.85 | −0.12 | #161 |
| 2013 | 66.97 | −0.06 | #161 |
| 2012 | 67.03 | −0.04 | #162 |
| 2011 | 67.07 | −0.27 | #160 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibia's dependency ratio was 68.86 in 2025. Ranked 46th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Namibia's dependency ratio peaked at 105.43 in 1982.
The lowest dependency ratio in Namibia was 66.78 in 2015.
Namibia ranks 46th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's dependency ratio is projected to reach 68.86 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Namibia in 2025 was 68.86. This ranks 46th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_dependency-ratio,
title = {Namibia Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}