Country explorer: Namibia

Namibia has experienced moderate economic growth, evidenced by gradual increases in GDP per capita, varied poverty distribution shifts emphasizing the reduction in extreme poverty, and consistently high unemployment rates, common among its Southern African peers, alongside fluctuating inflation rates that reflect its ongoing challenge to stabilize the cost of living.

Namibia has seen a moderate population growth, declining fertility rates, negative net migration, and a notable improvement in life expectancy, mirroring trends of gradual demographic transition while grappling with migration challenges more acutely than some of its Southern African counterparts.

Namibia has shown significant growth in access to electricity, moderate improvement in access to clean cooking fuels, but still trails behind its regional peers like South Africa, indicating a gradual but uneven advancement in fulfilling basic needs.

Namibia has exhibited steady improvements in human development indicators, showcased by gradual increases in the Human Development Index, a significant reduction in child mortality rates, sustained growth in literacy rates, and an enhancement in the quality and quantity of education, aligning its progress with upper-middle-income countries but distinguished by its notable literacy rate growth and educational quality improvements.

Namibia has seen a modest reduction in CO₂ emissions per capita, made significant strides towards renewable energy adoption with burgeoning solar and wind energy production, experienced a slight decrease in available renewable freshwater resources per capita, and witnessed a gradual reduction in its forest area, encapsulating the nation's active engagement with environmental sustainability challenges and advances within the context of global efforts towards cleaner energy and resource management.

Namibia has made significant strides in technological and innovative development, marked by a steep increase in internet use, mobile phone subscriptions, a moderate engagement in research and development, and a gradual increase in scientific publications, mirroring trends in upper-middle-income countries and indicating a growing digital and knowledge-based economy.

Namibia has demonstrated a noteworthy resilience in its cultural and societal landscape, managing a gradual reduction in gender inequality, maintaining moderate levels of life satisfaction amidst global and local challenges, experiencing shifts in its demographic structure with an increasing dependency ratio, and accommodating a diverse population with a steady yet comparatively low share of foreign-born residents, reflecting its unique position and shared experiences with both regional and upper-middle-income countries.

Namibia has demonstrated a stable yet slightly fluctuating adherence to the rule of law, coupled with consistent yet cautious improvements in corruption perceptions, political civil liberties, and press freedom, generally aligning with or outperforming its upper-middle-income country peers and regional counterparts in southern Africa.