Photo: Hans Hillewaert derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Namibia: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Namibia is placed 175th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 67.38 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 39.46 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
175th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 67.38Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 39.46Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- —Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024No reading for this country
- 28.1Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Namibia on health & wellbeing — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
67.38
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Namibia: 67.38. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Southern Africa
- 69.16 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Angola 64.62 · Botswana 69.16 · South Africa 66.14 · Zambia 66.35
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
39.46
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Namibia: 39.46. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Southern Africa
- 33.31 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Angola 49 · Botswana 33.31 · South Africa 35.06 · Zambia 48.37
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
No reading
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) publishes no reading from 2014–2024 for Namibia, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Southern Africa
- 20.03 Eswatini
- Land neighbours
- Angola 37.57 · Botswana 28.94 · South Africa 21.33 · Zambia 34.59
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
28.1
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
Namibia: 28.1. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Southern Africa
- 8.4 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Angola 16.2 · Botswana 20.4 · South Africa 8.4 · Zambia 17.2
02Over time
Which way Namibia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia rose from 52.95 in 2000 to 67.38 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2023 67.38 74.630 2022 64.19 74.313 2021 60.85 72.433 2020 64.07 73.063 2019 63.55 74.196 2018 62.58 74.081 2017 61.66 74.029 2016 60.81 74.013 2015 60.01 73.783 2014 59.31 73.330 2013 58.47 73.386 2012 57.73 73.210 2011 56.65 73.003 2010 56.09 72.827 2009 55.35 72.426 2008 54.74 72.264 2007 54.03 72.113 2006 53.18 72.027 2005 52.56 71.876 2004 52.18 71.477 2003 51.92 71.409 2002 51.99 71.173 2001 51.98 70.926 2000 52.95 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia fell from 78.24 in 2000 to 39.46 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2024 39.46 14.5 2023 41.07 15.2 2022 41.58 14.7 2021 43.22 15.1 2020 44.78 15.3 2019 46.57 15.7 2018 48.48 16.3 2017 49.76 16.8 2016 51.40 17.5 2015 51.83 17.9 2014 49.96 18.3 2013 50.80 18.7 2012 52.57 18.8 2011 49.97 19.0 2010 50.28 19.2 2009 53.24 20.8 2008 57.50 20.7 2007 61.96 21.8 2006 65.97 22.8 2005 70.98 24.0 2004 74.38 25.9 2003 75.56 26.9 2002 76.56 28.0 2001 77.59 29.1 2000 78.24 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia fell from 28.9 in 2015 to 28.1 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2024 28.1 4.9 2023 30.0 4.7 2022 31.8 5.4 2021 33.0 5.7 2020 32.6 5.6 2019 32.1 5.0 2018 31.3 4.2 2017 30.5 4.0 2016 29.6 3.4 2015 28.9 3.4
03In context
Namibia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Namibia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | =148th | 66.14 | 35.06 | 21.33 | 8.4 |
 Botswana | 157th | 69.16 | 33.31 | 28.94 | 20.4 |
 Zambia | 174th | 66.35 | 48.37 | 34.59 | 17.2 |
| Namibia | 175th | 67.38 | 39.46 | 22.72 | 28.1 |
 Angola | 178th | 64.62 | 49 | 37.57 | 16.2 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below Namibia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Namibia is ahead of the world, and behind
54 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median11
Statistics on which Namibia does better than the middle country measured.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.571.641.5No earlier reading
Namibia: 71.6 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 9th of 127 · derived.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9571.2252.95No earlier reading
Namibia: 71.22 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 19th of 136 · derived.
Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 PandemicAriel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset) · 2026 · world median 272.35120.8272.35No earlier reading
Namibia: 120.8 · world median 272.35 · Excess deaths per 100,000 people, March 2020 to the end of each country's data (at most December 2023). Ariel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from -264.9 to 1,013; lower is better.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.258371.25▲ Improved since 2013
Namibia: 83 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 196 · derived.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.12.63.1▼ Worsened since 2020
Namibia: 2.6 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 52nd of 81 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7448.3240.74No earlier reading
Namibia: 48.32 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 49th of 136 · derived.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6583.5477.65No earlier reading
Namibia: 83.54 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 144 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.478.72152.47▲ Improved since 2015
Namibia: 8.721 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1061.8978.106No real change since 2014
Namibia: 1.897 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4513.514.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Namibia: 13.5 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 117th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.76867.7No earlier reading
Namibia: 68 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 127 · derived.
Behind the world median33
Statistics on which Namibia does worse than the middle country measured.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.55.7855.5▼ Worsened since 2014
Namibia: 5.785 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 77th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3914.8816.39▲ Improved since 2013
Namibia: 14.88 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 222 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 908490▲ Improved since 2015
Namibia: 84 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4480.351▲ Improved since 2013
Namibia: 0.448 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 116th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5724.8937.57No earlier reading
Namibia: 24.89 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 78th of 115 · derived.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.447.926.4▼ Worsened since 2017
Namibia: 47.9 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 46th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.987.496.9No earlier reading
Namibia: 87.4 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.1850.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Namibia: 0.185 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 34th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.6650.762No real change since 2013
Namibia: 0.665 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 136th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 415241No real change since 2012
Namibia: 52 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.65138.8646.65▲ Improved since 2013
Namibia: 138.86 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 54th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.4460.564▲ Improved since 2010
Namibia: 0.446 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 130th of 172 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918291▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 82 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.4841.623.48▲ Improved since 2015
Namibia: 41.62 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8162.581No earlier reading
Namibia: 62.5 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 118th of 153 · derived.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.53465.5No earlier reading
Namibia: 34 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5467.143.546No earlier reading
Namibia: 7.14 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 38th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8586.722.858▲ Improved since 2014
Namibia: 6.72 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 45th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4666.0327.46No real change since 2013
Namibia: 66.03 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 48th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16316.218.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Namibia: 16.21 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 42nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13421.388.134No real change since 2014
Namibia: 21.38 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 38th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.218.15.2▲ Improved since 2013
Namibia: 18.1 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 31st of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.320.25No real change since 2014
Namibia: 0.32 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8346.3984.83▼ Worsened since 2013
Namibia: 46.39 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.95420.9▲ Improved since 2015
Namibia: 54 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 25th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,5122,982▼ Worsened since 2014
Namibia: 2,512 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 129th of 155 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2115.5810.21No real change since 2010
Namibia: 15.58 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 27th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2636.4112.26No real change since 2014
Namibia: 36.41 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 30th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7238.49133.7▲ Improved since 2013
Namibia: 238.49 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 27th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 224122▼ Worsened since 2020
Namibia: 41 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 5th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2640.4721.26No earlier reading
Namibia: 40.47 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 11th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6925.1102.69▼ Worsened since 2013
Namibia: 25.1 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.919.982.9No earlier reading
Namibia: 19.9 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 104th of 109 · derived.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.452.335.4No real change since 2013
Namibia: 52.3 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2552.941.25No real change since 2013
Namibia: 52.9 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8942.0638.89Moved since 2015
Namibia: 42.06 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 51st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.554.884.55No real change since 2017
Namibia: 4.88 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.731.221.73Moved since 2014
Namibia: 1.22 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 105th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6514.420.65No earlier reading
Namibia: 14.4 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.179.6716.17Moved since 2013
Namibia: 9.67 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8324.1957.83Moved since 2013
Namibia: 24.19 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.881.5196.88No earlier reading
Namibia: 1.519 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry OnWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 20.058.9820.05No earlier reading
Namibia: 8.98 · world median 20.05 · People aged 15+ who have ever been too anxious or depressed to continue their usual activities for two weeks or more (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.934 to 49.35.
No current reading for Namibia
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2021), Children with Functional Difficulties, Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2001), Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Health & Wellbeing among Namibia’s 16 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Namibia’s 14th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy39th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security49th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties66th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality66th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability72nd of 1863/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge80th of 1983/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 84th of 1944/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation100th of 1764/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade104th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 117th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital129th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 155th of 1934/4 keys
- Work & Labour157th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing175th of 2003/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality143rd of 1593/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture167th of 1844/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Namibia can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Cabo Verde80th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=148th4/4 keysThis page
Namibia175th3/4 keys
Positions out of 200 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Namibia and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Namibia on health & wellbeing: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Namibia rank on health & wellbeing?
Namibia is placed 175th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Namibia?
67.38 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Namibia?
39.46 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Namibia compare with South Africa on health & wellbeing?
South Africa is placed joint 148th of 200, and Namibia 175th. Life Expectancy at Birth: South Africa 66.14, Namibia 67.38; Under-Five Mortality Rate: South Africa 35.06, Namibia 39.46; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: South Africa 8.4, Namibia 28.1.
How have Namibia’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 52.95 in 2000 to 67.38 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 78.24 in 2000 to 39.46 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity fell from 28.9 in 2015 to 28.1 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Namibia?
No current reading is published for Namibia on Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Children with Functional Difficulties, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 54 statistics on this page come from 19 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Namibia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Namibia (banner) — Hans Hillewaert derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Namibia: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/namibia/health