Namibia Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 135th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
3,171,773
The population of Namibia is about 3,171,773 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 3.2 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.04% of the world's people.
Namibia is ranked 135th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.95% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 4.5 million. That is 5.3 times its 1960 population of 591 thousand. It is sparsely populated, with only 3.8 people per square kilometre. 51% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
3.2 million
Yearly change
+1.95%
World rank
135th
Share of world
0.04%
Density
4/km²
Land area
823,290 km²
Life expectancy
67.5 yrs
Births per woman
3.21
GDP per capita
$4,876
GDP
$15.1B
Population of Namibia, 1960–2050
Namibia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 591,465 | — | 1 |
| 1970 | 757,868 | +2.95% | 1 |
| 1980 | 981,434 | +1.93% | 1 |
| 1990 | 1,369,303 | +6.23% | 2 |
| 2000 | 1,818,647 | +2.38% | 2 |
| 2010 | 2,109,811 | +1.56% | 3 |
| 2020 | 2,728,762 | +2.95% | 3 |
| 2024 | 3,030,131 | +2.26% | 4 |
| 2026proj. | 3,153,246 | +1.95% | 4 |
| 2030proj. | 3,389,958 | +1.78% | 4 |
| 2040proj. | 3,962,405 | +1.41% | 5 |
| 2050proj. | 4,512,301 | +1.16% | 5 |
Namibia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 56.4 times as many people as Namibia. Bangladesh is 356.7 times more densely populated.
Namibia population: questions and answers
What is the population of Namibia in 2026?
About 3,153,246 (3.2 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Namibia's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.95% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Namibia?
About 4 people per km², with a land area of 823,290 km².
What will the population of Namibia be in 2050?
About 4.5 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Namibia?
Windhoek.
What is the life expectancy in Namibia?
67.5 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.