Urban and rural population in Namibia
Namibia: Urban and rural population was 1.57 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1.57 million
Change on year
up 3.0%
World rank
145th
of 236 countries
All-time high
1.57 million
in 2025
All-time low
80,009
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025
Urban and rural population in Namibia, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, urban and rural population in Namibia stood at 1.57 million. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.0% on the previous year and up 45.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in Namibia peaked at 1.57 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 80,009, in 1950.
Namibia ranks 145th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population in Namibia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 80,009 | — |
| 1951 | 83,699 | +4.6% |
| 1952 | 88,246 | +5.4% |
| 1953 | 93,845 | +6.3% |
| 1954 | 100,180 | +6.8% |
| 1955 | 106,988 | +6.8% |
| 1956 | 114,002 | +6.6% |
| 1957 | 120,951 | +6.1% |
| 1958 | 127,548 | +5.5% |
| 1959 | 133,483 | +4.7% |
| 1960 | 138,373 | +3.7% |
| 1961 | 142,556 | +3.0% |
| 1962 | 146,852 | +3.0% |
| 1963 | 151,352 | +3.1% |
| 1964 | 156,056 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | 160,966 | +3.1% |
| 1966 | 166,084 | +3.2% |
| 1967 | 171,471 | +3.2% |
| 1968 | 177,087 | +3.3% |
| 1969 | 182,935 | +3.3% |
| 1970 | 189,041 | +3.3% |
| 1971 | 195,364 | +3.3% |
| 1972 | 201,944 | +3.4% |
| 1973 | 208,694 | +3.3% |
| 1974 | 215,660 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 222,969 | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 229,999 | +3.2% |
| 1977 | 236,807 | +3.0% |
| 1978 | 241,523 | +2.0% |
| 1979 | 246,129 | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 251,578 | +2.2% |
| 1981 | 255,168 | +1.4% |
| 1982 | 260,583 | +2.1% |
| 1983 | 268,543 | +3.1% |
| 1984 | 276,987 | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 286,240 | +3.3% |
| 1986 | 296,565 | +3.6% |
| 1987 | 307,824 | +3.8% |
| 1988 | 320,694 | +4.2% |
| 1989 | 343,888 | +7.2% |
| 1990 | 367,893 | +7.0% |
| 1991 | 383,248 | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 399,296 | +4.2% |
| 1993 | 417,620 | +4.6% |
| 1994 | 437,856 | +4.8% |
| 1995 | 459,360 | +4.9% |
| 1996 | 481,933 | +4.9% |
| 1997 | 505,743 | +4.9% |
| 1998 | 530,943 | +5.0% |
| 1999 | 557,289 | +5.0% |
| 2000 | 584,093 | +4.8% |
| 2001 | 610,180 | +4.5% |
| 2002 | 635,898 | +4.2% |
| 2003 | 662,407 | +4.2% |
| 2004 | 690,131 | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 719,513 | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 750,388 | +4.3% |
| 2007 | 782,479 | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 815,400 | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 848,667 | +4.1% |
| 2010 | 881,787 | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 914,927 | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 952,050 | +4.1% |
| 2013 | 993,596 | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 1.04 million | +4.3% |
| 2015 | 1.08 million | +4.3% |
| 2016 | 1.13 million | +4.2% |
| 2017 | 1.17 million | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 1.22 million | +4.1% |
| 2019 | 1.27 million | +4.1% |
| 2020 | 1.32 million | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 1.38 million | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 1.43 million | +3.8% |
| 2023 | 1.48 million | +3.4% |
| 2024 | 1.53 million | +3.2% |
| 2025 | 1.57 million | +3.0% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 1.57 million is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.62 million, 24% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 1.57 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.82 million, 33% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 104,895 | 80,009 | 133,483 | 10 |
| 1960s | 159,373 | 138,373 | 182,935 | 10 |
| 1970s | 218,813 | 189,041 | 246,129 | 10 |
| 1980s | 286,807 | 251,578 | 343,888 | 10 |
| 1990s | 454,118 | 367,893 | 557,289 | 10 |
| 2000s | 709,916 | 584,093 | 848,667 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.07 million | 881,787 | 1.27 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.45 million | 1.32 million | 1.57 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More population data for Namibia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.6736 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1475 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 3,780 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.52 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4525 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.091 (2100)
- Population density 7.16 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 357,079 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population in Namibia?
- Urban and rural population in Namibia was 1.57 million in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.57 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 80,009 in 1950.
- How does Namibia rank for urban and rural population?
- Namibia ranks 145th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Namibia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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