The population of Namibia has reached 3,022,401, according to recent data.
The long-awaited preliminary results of the 2023 census were unveiled in the capital city on Wednesday by the Namibia Statistics Agency.
According to a statement posted on the agency’s website on Wednesday, the Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, highlighted a significant population growth in urban areas of 65.5% between the census of 2011 and 2023.
In contrast, the population in rural areas experienced a more modest increase of 26.3% during the same period.
This census marks the fourth population survey conducted since Namibia gained independence in 1990.
It is also noteworthy as the first digital census in the country, incorporating spatial technology.
In 1991, the first complete census took place, with a total of 1.4 million people being counted.
This was followed by the second census in 2001, which recorded a population of 1.8 million.
The most recent census was conducted in 2011, revealing a population of 2.1 million.
“The population has grown almost twofold since the first post-independence census was conducted in 1991.
“Females make up a greater proportion of the population in the 2023 PHC as has been the trend for the past four censuses.
“Average household size, which has been on the decline since 1991, is 3.8 persons per household,” the statement read.
As reported by The New Era, a daily national newspaper in Namibia, during the report launch, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stressed the valuable insights contained within the data.
She highlighted how this information can guide the development of strategic policies, programmes, and resource allocation.
“Effective governance hinges on decisions rooted in empirical evidence. The census data empowers us to identify priority areas, understand demographic dynamics, and tailor our policies to address the unique needs of various segments of our population.
Statistics provide us with a tool to pursue social justice, ensuring that no one is left out. By so doing, we pave the way for a Namibia where every citizen, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to the opportunities needed to thrive,” she observed.
Namibia gained independence from South Africa on March 21, 1990.
Despite its vast size, 824,292 km2 (318,261 sq mi), Namibia is the world’s thirty-fourth largest country.
It also has one of the lowest population densities in Africa.
Credit: Punch
