Namibia: immigration

What is the population of Namibia?

Namibia has a population of 3,022,401, according to the census results shown on the Namibia Statistics Agency website: 1,548,177 women and 1,474,224 men. 49.5% live in urban areas, and there are 756,339 households with an average size of 3.8 people.

The NSA presents these as its census results; its home page links to the 2023 Population and Housing Census. The same figures give a population density of 3.7 people per square kilometre, and 37% of the population is aged under 15.

Official sources: Namibia Statistics Agency

How many refugees are there in Namibia?

Namibia hosted 5,470 refugees and 1,326 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data.

Refugees are people whose claim for protection has been recognised; asylum seekers are still waiting for a decision. UNHCR compiles the figures from government sources. The counts cover people under UNHCR's mandate, not all foreign residents of Namibia.

Most came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo: 4,839 refugees and 1,193 asylum seekers in 2025. The next largest groups came from Burundi (383 refugees) and Rwanda (134).

Official sources: UNHCR population API: Namibia as country of asylum, 2025 · UNHCR population API: Namibia by country of origin, 2025

How many people in Namibia were born abroad?

More than 154,000 residents of Namibia were born abroad in 2023, about 5.1% of the population, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Census Migration Report (2026). The most common countries of birth were Angola (93,249), Zambia (19,812), South Africa (15,841), Zimbabwe (8,823) and Botswana (2,408).

Being born abroad is not the same as being a foreign citizen: 4.8% of residents were non-Namibian citizens. 17,604 people had moved to Namibia from another country in the year before the census. The report says reliable information on people leaving Namibia is limited, so population growth from net international migration since 2011 was probably small.

Official sources: 2023 Census Migration Report

How many people move between regions in Namibia?

144,721 people in Namibia lived in a different region in 2023 from the one they lived in a year earlier, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Census Migration Report. More than 30% of residents of Khomas and Erongo were born in another region.

Erongo, with the coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, gained most from migration since birth (40.8% net inflow), while Ohangwena in the north lost most (25.6% net outflow). Over 19% of people born in Kavango West and Omusati now live elsewhere. Migration is most common between the ages of 20 and 34. The report includes region-to-region tables of moves.

Official sources: 2023 Census Migration Report

How many people claim asylum in Namibia?

469 new asylum applications were lodged in Namibia in 2025, down from 526 in 2024, according to UNHCR's refugee data. 425 came from people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 39 from Burundians.

48 people were recognised as refugees in 2025 and 396 claims were rejected, UNHCR reports, compared with 411 recognitions in 2024. Namibia's government decides asylum claims, and most refugees live at the Osire settlement. UNHCR also counts 14,796 stateless people in Namibia, in its population figures.

Official sources: UNHCR's refugee data · UNHCR reports · in its population figures

How many immigrants live in Namibia?

3.8%: that is the share of people born abroad in Namibia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. It was 4.3% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Namibia is 13th highest of 48. Worldwide: 104th of 193.

How many people move to Namibia each year?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Namibia at 1,866 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -8,905 (2007) to 31,327 (2021). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -5,646, and Namibia placed 10th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 56th highest.

How many refugees does Namibia host?

5,470: that is the number of refugees in the country in Namibia for 2025, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1,730 (2015) to 7,249 (2010). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and Namibia placed 30th highest of 45. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 102nd highest.

How many people from Namibia are refugees?

685: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Namibia for 2025, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 317 (2022) to 1,368 (2017). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; Namibia is 36th highest of 48. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 108th highest.

How big are remittances in Namibia's economy?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Namibia was 0.7% of GDP in 2024. The peak was 0.9% of GDP in 2009 and the low 0.2% of GDP in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.5% of GDP, and Namibia placed 30th highest of 36. World rank, highest first: 113th of 156.