Namibia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Namibia?

Namibia's unemployment rate was 36.9% in 2023, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Population and Housing Census labour force report (January 2025). 320,442 people were unemployed and 546,805 employed, out of a labour force of 867,247. The rate was 33.4% in the 2018 Labour Force Survey.

Unemployed people are those aged 15 and over without work who are available for work and looking for it. Unemployment was 34.6% for men and 39.6% for women, and 38.0% in rural areas against 36.4% in towns. The census collected only basic labour questions, so it gives no figures on hours, earnings or informal work. The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate for 2025 is lower, at 19.29%, on World Bank Open Data, because it uses a different method.

Official sources: 2023 Population and Housing Census labour force report · World Bank Open Data

What is the youth unemployment rate in Namibia?

44.4% of young people aged 15 to 34 in the labour force were unemployed in 2023, according to the key indicators table of the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 census labour force report (the summary text gives 44.1%). 202,144 young people were unemployed and 252,886 employed.

Namibia defines youth as ages 15 to 34, wider than the international 15 to 24. Youth unemployment was 41.0% for young men and 48.2% for young women, and 46.1% in urban areas against 41.3% in rural areas. The 2018 Labour Force Survey gave 46.1%. The ILO's modelled estimate for ages 15 to 24 was 38.05% in 2025, on World Bank Open Data.

Official sources: 2023 census labour force report · on World Bank Open Data (API)

How many Namibians are without enough work?

54.8% of Namibia's extended labour force was either unemployed or in the potential labour force in 2023, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 census labour force report. Only 29.1% of people aged 15 and over were in work, 33.4% of men and 25.2% of women.

The potential labour force, 341,931 people, are those who want work but were not both looking and available, such as discouraged job seekers. Adding them to the unemployed gives the combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force, a measure of underused labour. It was 63.6% in rural areas and 48.7% in towns, and 61.4% among young people aged 15 to 34.

Official sources: 2023 census labour force report

How many Namibians work for themselves or in family businesses?

29.94% of workers in Namibia were in vulnerable employment in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data. The share was 30.49% in 2023.

Vulnerable employment covers own-account workers and unpaid family workers, who are less likely to have formal contracts, social security or regular pay. Labour force participation was 58.84% of people aged 15 and over in 2025, on the same ILO estimates, higher than the census figure of 46.2% because the census and the ILO model count people differently.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API) · on the same ILO estimates

How do Namibian households earn their living?

Wages and salaries were the main source of income for 46.6% of Namibian households in 2023, according to the selected indicators in the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Population and Housing Census main report. Old age pensions were the main income of 13.8% of households, farming of 10.7% and non-farm businesses of 9.0%.

The figures show the single main source reported by each household. Farming as a main source fell from 16.4% in 2011. Detailed income and spending figures will come from the 2025/2026 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey, whose data collection ended in April 2026.

Official sources: 2023 Population and Housing Census main report

How much do workers in Namibia earn on average?

$547 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Namibia for 2018, according to the ILO. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $264 a month, and Namibia placed 3rd highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 59th of 98.

What is Namibia's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Namibia was 19.3%, according to the ILO. The peak was 23.4% in 2016 and the low 16.8% in 2012. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Namibia placed 6th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 7th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Namibia?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Namibia was 38.0% in 2025. The peak was 44.5% in 2010 and the low 34.1% in 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 8.8%; Namibia is 5th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 10th of 174.

How many people in Namibia are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Namibia was 58.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 61.7%; its low point was 2005, at 55.6%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Namibia is 29th highest of 45. Worldwide: 109th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Namibia?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Namibia was 54.9%, according to the ILO. The peak was 58.6% in 2013 and the low 49.7% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Namibia placed 28th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 81st of 174.

What share of adults in Namibia have a job?

47.5%: that is the employment to population ratio in Namibia for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 43.3% (2005) to 50.0% (2013). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Namibia is 38th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 147th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Namibia?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Namibia at 29.9% in 2025. The peak was 35.0% in 2005 and the low 25.2% in 2016. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Namibia is 39th highest of 45. Worldwide: 88th of 174.

What share of jobs in Namibia are salaried?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Namibia was 63.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 70.2%; its low point was 2005, at 60.5%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; Namibia is 7th highest of 45. Worldwide: 92nd of 174.