Namibia Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Namibia's trade balance was $-4.1B in 2025, ranked 139th globally. This represents a 16.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Namibia's trade balance stood at $-4.1B in 2025, a decline of +$567.1M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-4.1B by 2025. Namibia ranked 139th globally.
Namibia’s trade balance has swung from a modest surplus of 341,821,725.81 in 1980, its all‑time peak, to a deep deficit of –4,089,527,314.16 in 2025, the lowest point recorded over the 46‑year series and placing the country at rank 139 globally. The reversal reflects a persistent widening of imports relative to exports, driven by higher demand for capital goods and limited diversification of export commodities. Compared with peer economies of similar ranking, Namibia’s deficit exceeds that of Nicaragua (–3,994,774,331.96) and is marginally smaller than Serbia’s (–4,125,472,162.42), underscoring a regional pattern of trade imbalances among small, resource‑dependent states. Structural constraints such as reliance on mining exports and limited value‑added processing have constrained the ability to generate a surplus. If Namibia can expand its manufacturing base, improve trade facilitation, and diversify export markets, the negative trajectory may moderate, potentially narrowing the deficit in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $-5.2B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $-4.6B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-4.1B | - | - |
| 2025 | $-4.1B | −$567.1M | #139 |
| 2024 | $-3.5B | −$604.3M | #38 |
| 2023 | $-2.9B | −$612.1M | #44 |
| 2022 | $-2.3B | +$128.8M | #62 |
| 2021 | $-2.4B | −$1.4B | #45 |
| 2020 | $-1.0B | +$253.8M | #70 |
| 2019 | $-1.3B | +$94.5M | #65 |
| 2018 | $-1.4B | +$441.3M | #63 |
| 2017 | $-1.8B | +$765.1M | #52 |
| 2016 | $-2.6B | +$435.9M | #40 |
| 2015 | $-3.0B | +$111.1M | #43 |
| 2014 | $-3.1B | −$378.2M | #44 |
| 2013 | $-2.7B | −$115.3M | #50 |
| 2012 | $-2.6B | −$1.2B | #53 |
| 2011 | $-1.4B | −$75.7M | #68 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibia's trade balance was $-4.1B in 2025. Ranked 139th globally. This represents a 16.1% decrease from the previous year.
Namibia's trade balance peaked at $341.8M in 1980.
The lowest trade balance in Namibia was $-4.1B in 2025.
Namibia ranks 139th globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's trade balance is projected to reach $-4.1B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of Namibia in 2025 was $-4.1B. This ranks 139th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_trade-balance,
title = {Namibia Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}