Namibia: public finances

What is Namibia's government budget?

Namibia's central government expects revenue of N$89.8 billion and spending of N$106.0 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, according to the Bank of Namibia's Quarterly Bulletin for September 2026, which summarises the budget. Spending includes N$81.3 billion of operational spending, N$8.4 billion for development projects and N$16.2 billion in interest payments.

The financial year runs from April to March. Revenue is forecast to rise 2.5% from N$87.4 billion in 2025/26, with higher VAT, income tax and Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts, while spending rises 0.1%. Tax revenue was 33.87% of GDP in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data. The Ministry of Finance site (mof.gov.na) did not respond on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Quarterly Bulletin for September 2026 · according to World Bank Open Data (API)

How much debt does the Namibian government have?

Namibia's central government debt was N$181.9 billion at the end of June 2026, equal to 65.1% of GDP, according to the Bank of Namibia's government debt statistics and its Quarterly Bulletin for September 2026. Debt rose 6.1% over the year.

Domestic debt, mainly Treasury bills and internal registered stock (government bonds), made up 89.7% of the total, N$163.2 billion. Foreign debt fell to N$18.7 billion after the Eurobond was repaid in October 2025. The government also guaranteed N$7.0 billion of other bodies' borrowing. The bank projects debt to average about 67% of GDP over the medium term, above the Southern African Development Community benchmark of 60%. Figures are by quarter of the April-to-March financial year.

Official sources: government debt statistics · Quarterly Bulletin for September 2026 · Bank of Namibia: Government finance statistics

How big is Namibia's budget deficit?

Namibia's central government budget deficit is estimated at 5.5% of GDP in the 2026/27 financial year, down from 6.6% in 2025/26, according to the Bank of Namibia's Quarterly Bulletin for September 2026. The deficit is projected to narrow to 3.3% of GDP by 2028/29.

The deficit is the gap between government revenue and spending, which is covered by borrowing. The bulletin's summary table gives deficits of 8.4% of GDP, 5.2% and 2.4% in the three years before 2025/26. The bank says the planned reduction depends on revenue growing faster than spending, and the government aims to keep spending other than interest below revenue.

Official sources: Quarterly Bulletin for September 2026

What is Namibia's debt to GDP ratio?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 67.5% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.9% of GDP (2009) to 70.1% of GDP (2022). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 53.0% of GDP; Namibia is 14th highest of 46. Worldwide: 58th of 185.

Does Namibia's government borrow more than it raises?

-5.9% of GDP: that is general government net lending or borrowing in Namibia for 2025, according to the IMF (a deficit). Since 2005 it has ranged from -9.3% of GDP (2016) to 6.0% of GDP (2007). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -3.0% of GDP, and Namibia placed 38th highest of 47. Worldwide: 159th of 188.

How much does Namibia's government take in?

In 2025, general government revenue in Namibia was 32.8% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 27.4% of GDP (2005) to 35.4% of GDP (2015). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 18.4% of GDP, and Namibia placed 2nd highest of 47. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 65th highest.

What is Namibia's government spending?

The IMF puts general government spending in Namibia at 38.8% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 43.7% of GDP; its low point was 2007, at 26.1% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 20.8% of GDP; Namibia is 2nd highest of 46. Worldwide: 57th of 186.

How much tax does Namibia collect?

In 2024, central government tax revenue in Namibia was 33.9% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 34.6% of GDP; its low point was 2010, at 25.5% of GDP. It is 2nd highest of 16 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 14.1% of GDP. Of 92 countries with 2024 data, 2nd highest.

What is Namibia's military budget as a share of GDP?

According to SIPRI, military spending in Namibia was 2.8% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 4.5% of GDP in 2015 and the low 2.5% of GDP in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 1.3% of GDP; Namibia is 7th highest of 44. Worldwide: 31st of 149.