Namibia Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Namibia's urban population was 50.89% in 2025, ranked 154th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Namibia's urban population stood at 50.89% in 2025, a rise of +0.48% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 50.89% by 2025. Namibia ranked 154th globally.
Namibia’s urban population share has risen steadily from 23.40 percent in 1960 to 50.89 percent in 2025, marking the highest level recorded over the 66‑year series and placing the country 154th globally. This more than doubling reflects sustained rural‑to‑urban migration, expanding service‑sector employment and government investment in urban infrastructure, especially in the post‑independence era. The trajectory parallels that of peer Uzbekistan, whose urban share reached 51.09 percent, suggesting similar structural shifts in economies reliant on mining and agriculture. While the increase has been gradual, the pace accelerated after the early 2000s as Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, and secondary cities attracted both domestic migrants and foreign workers. The continuing rise in urbanization is likely to be moderated by policies aimed at improving rural livelihoods and diversifying regional economies, which could temper the upward trend in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 51.81% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 51.35% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 50.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 50.89% | +0.48% | #154 |
| 2024 | 50.41% | +0.45% | #64 |
| 2023 | 49.95% | +0.43% | #64 |
| 2022 | 49.53% | +0.47% | #64 |
| 2021 | 49.06% | +0.51% | #64 |
| 2020 | 48.55% | +0.55% | #64 |
| 2019 | 48.00% | +0.58% | #64 |
| 2018 | 47.42% | +0.61% | #64 |
| 2017 | 46.81% | +0.64% | #62 |
| 2016 | 46.18% | +0.66% | #63 |
| 2015 | 45.51% | +0.69% | #63 |
| 2014 | 44.82% | +0.71% | #63 |
| 2013 | 44.11% | +0.73% | #62 |
| 2012 | 43.38% | +0.75% | #62 |
| 2011 | 42.63% | +0.83% | #60 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibia's urban population was 50.89% in 2025. Ranked 154th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Namibia's urban population peaked at 50.89% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Namibia was 23.40% in 1960.
Namibia ranks 154th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's urban population is projected to reach 50.89% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Namibia in 2025 was 50.89%. This ranks 154th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_urban-population,
title = {Namibia Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}