Namibia Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Namibia's population growth was 2.14% in 2025, ranked 46th globally. This represents a 4.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Namibia's population growth stood at 2.14% in 2025, a decline of +0.10pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.14% by 2025. Namibia ranked 46th globally.
Namibia’s population growth has accelerated to 2.14 % in 2025, placing the country 46th globally, and it now exceeds the rates recorded in the early 1960s when growth stood at 1.94 %. The most rapid expansion occurred in 1989, when the annual increase peaked at 6.35 %, while the lowest point was recorded in 1981 at 1.12 %. Over the 65‑year span the trajectory has shifted from modest post‑independence gains to a sustained high‑growth regime that mirrors the experience of peers such as Rwanda, whose 2025 rate of 2.13 % is virtually identical. The recent rise reflects improved health outcomes, higher fertility among younger cohorts and continued rural‑to‑urban migration. If the government sustains investments in education, family planning and economic diversification, the upward momentum is likely to persist, though any sharp policy shift or external shock could temper the pace.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.78% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.96% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.14% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.14% | −0.10pp | #46 |
| 2024 | 2.24% | −0.27pp | #177 |
| 2023 | 2.51% | −0.27pp | #188 |
| 2022 | 2.78% | −0.18pp | #197 |
| 2021 | 2.95% | +0.04pp | #207 |
| 2020 | 2.91% | +0.11pp | #202 |
| 2019 | 2.80% | +0.03pp | #194 |
| 2018 | 2.77% | +0.04pp | #191 |
| 2017 | 2.74% | +0.04pp | #188 |
| 2016 | 2.70% | +0.04pp | #185 |
| 2015 | 2.65% | +0.04pp | #180 |
| 2014 | 2.61% | +0.01pp | #176 |
| 2013 | 2.60% | +0.38pp | #174 |
| 2012 | 2.23% | +0.51pp | #162 |
| 2011 | 1.72% | +0.17pp | #139 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibia's population growth was 2.14% in 2025. Ranked 46th globally. This represents a 4.3% decrease from the previous year.
Namibia's population growth peaked at 6.35% in 1989.
The lowest population growth in Namibia was 1.12% in 1981.
Namibia ranks 46th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's population growth is projected to reach 2.14% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Namibia in 2025 was 2.14%. This ranks 46th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_population-growth,
title = {Namibia Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}