Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Donald Matthys
Published on 2024-03-14 17:00:00
Namibia has reached a population milestone of three million, with a majority being young people, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. The statistician general, Alex Shimuafeni, announced the preliminary results of the 2023 Housing and Population Census, revealing a significant increase in population from 2.1 million in 2011 to three million in 2023. This growth trend has been consistent since the 1991 census, with an increase of 114.4% over the past 32 years.
The population demographic is predominantly youthful, with 71.1% of people under 35 years old. The working-age population (15-59 years old) makes up 56.1%, while only 6.8% are 60 years and older. This demographic composition has led to challenges such as high youth unemployment, poverty, and inequality in the country.
The capital region, Khomas, remains the most populated with 494,605 people, while the Omaheke region is the least populated with 102,881 people. The number of households has tripled from 254,389 in 1991 to approximately 756,400 in 2023, with an average household size of 3.8 people.
The gender distribution shows that there are more females (1,548,177) than males (1,474,224) in Namibia. However, some regions recorded a slightly higher male population. The challenges arising from a rapidly growing population, especially a youthful one, include increased pressure on social services like education, healthcare, and social welfare. The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated youth unemployment and job creation challenges.
While the growing population presents opportunities for business growth and a skilled workforce, there is a need for investment in infrastructure, human capital, and public services to meet the needs of the youth population. Ensuring access to quality education and creating opportunities for specialization at the post-school level are crucial for utilizing the potential of the young workforce.
Despite the potential benefits of a growing population, there are concerns about the ability to provide essential services to the increasing number of people. The lack of an enabling environment for business growth and employment creation, coupled with existing challenges of poverty and inequality, pose significant obstacles to harnessing the full potential of the population.
In conclusion, the rapid growth of Namibia’s population presents both risks and opportunities for the country. Addressing the challenges of youth unemployment, poverty, and inequality requires innovative approaches to job creation, entrepreneurship promotion, and investment in human capital development. It is essential for policymakers and stakeholders to work together to ensure sustainable development and inclusive growth for all segments of the population.
Read the original article on The Namibian
