Photo: Hans Hillewaert derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Namibia: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Namibia is placed 157th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 47.49 (2025); Labour Income Share 47.1 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
157th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Namibia on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
47.49
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Namibia: 47.49. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Africa
- 51.96 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Angola 64.24 · Botswana 51.96 · South Africa 37.58 · Zambia 58.27
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
19.29
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Namibia: 19.29. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Africa
- 16.32 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- Angola 14.11 · Botswana 24.48 · South Africa 32.39 · Zambia 5.918
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
29.94
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Namibia: 29.94. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Africa
- 11.66 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Angola 66.27 · Botswana 25.61 · South Africa 11.66 · Zambia 70.17
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia rose from 43.14 in 2000 to 47.49 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2025 47.49 57.720 2024 47.59 57.694 2023 47.62 58.158 2022 47.35 57.688 2021 44.66 56.066 2020 44.22 55.691 2019 47.18 57.871 2018 47.18 56.911 2017 46.69 56.738 2016 46.34 56.845 2015 48.03 56.788 2014 49.56 56.774 2013 49.96 56.229 2012 47.88 56.289 2011 46.10 56.297 2010 44.37 56.212 2009 44.06 56.255 2008 43.99 57.308 2007 43.71 56.933 2006 43.64 56.685 2005 43.27 56.129 2004 43.06 55.465 2003 42.83 55.630 2002 42.92 55.843 2001 42.98 56.018 2000 43.14 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia fell from 53.69 in 2004 to 47.1 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2025 47.10 46.230 2024 47.09 46.060 2023 47.28 45.900 2022 48.78 45.615 2021 51.27 45.433 2020 53.63 47.267 2019 52.34 46.277 2018 51.64 46.187 2017 50.84 46.467 2016 50.68 46.798 2015 49.02 46.876 2014 48.94 47.281 2013 51.06 46.887 2012 51.53 46.231 2011 51.71 45.679 2010 50.97 46.024 2009 50.61 47.071 2008 48.98 45.312 2007 48.23 45.246 2006 48.48 45.670 2005 51.81 46.265 2004 53.69 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia fell from 20.3 in 2000 to 19.29 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2025 19.29 5.08 2024 19.16 5.15 2023 19.15 5.21 2022 19.62 5.34 2021 20.93 6.04 2020 21.00 6.38 2019 19.93 5.36 2018 19.88 5.35 2017 21.75 5.59 2016 23.35 5.90 2015 20.79 6.41 2014 18.52 6.58 2013 19.03 6.71 2012 16.77 6.79 2011 19.48 6.90 2010 22.12 7.04 2009 22.27 6.67 2008 22.01 5.79 2007 22.12 6.00 2006 21.85 6.50 2005 22.11 7.09 2004 22.09 6.80 2003 22.10 6.95 2002 21.54 6.91 2001 21.01 6.96 2000 20.30 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
NamibiaWorld median
Namibia fell from 37.7 in 2000 to 29.94 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Namibia World median 2025 29.94 28.67 2024 30.23 29.04 2023 30.49 29.33 2022 30.69 29.67 2021 30.83 30.01 2020 31.43 30.54 2019 31.16 29.98 2018 31.23 30.15 2017 28.24 29.93 2016 25.24 29.91 2015 27.75 30.26 2014 30.29 30.47 2013 33.04 31.14 2012 31.90 31.00 2011 32.19 31.41 2010 32.37 32.37 2009 32.80 32.59 2008 33.27 31.76 2007 33.81 33.47 2006 34.39 34.27 2005 35.00 34.66 2004 35.62 35.51 2003 36.25 35.90 2002 36.78 35.96 2001 37.29 35.27 2000 37.70 35.67
03In context
Namibia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Namibia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | =134th | 37.58 | 52.64 | 32.39 | 11.66 |
 Angola | 142nd | 64.24 | 43.97 | 14.11 | 66.27 |
| Namibia | 157th | 47.49 | 47.1 | 19.29 | 29.94 |
 Botswana | 162nd | 51.96 | 40.05 | 24.48 | 25.61 |
 Zambia | 163rd | 58.27 | 25.93 | 5.918 | 70.17 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Namibia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Namibia is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median8
Statistics on which Namibia does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0760.1632.07No earlier reading
Namibia: 60.16 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1627.5319.16No earlier reading
Namibia: 27.53 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 179 · derived.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5751.080.575No earlier reading
Namibia: 1.08 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.881.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 0.88 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23033,47825,230No real change since 2010
Namibia: 33,478 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 68th of 151 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6818.316.68No earlier reading
Namibia: 18.3 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 139 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3654.9253.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 54.92 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 83rd of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.947.145.9No earlier reading
Namibia: 47.1 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Namibia does worse than the middle country measured.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88511.864.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 11.86 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1615.8622.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 15.86 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 108th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38434,04647,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 34,046 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 100th of 168 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6658.8461.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 58.84 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 111th of 182 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7423,8366,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 3,836 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 95th of 151 · derived.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8156.7241.81No earlier reading
Namibia: 56.72 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 42nd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Namibia: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8338.0512.83No real change since 2015
Namibia: 38.05 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 10th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Namibia: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
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.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0120.2115.01No earlier reading
Namibia: 20.21 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 50th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3822.3414.38Moved since 2015
Namibia: 22.34 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 77th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8436.5431.84Moved since 2015
Namibia: 36.54 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 83rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5161.1159.51No real change since 2015
Namibia: 61.11 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 87th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8816.5518.88Moved since 2015
Namibia: 16.55 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 125th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Namibia
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2018), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2001), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2018), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2018), Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate (last 2018), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2018), Statutory Minimum Wage and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2018). 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
Work & Labour among Namibia’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Namibia’s 13th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Namibia can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=134th4/4 keysThis page
Namibia157th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Namibia on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Namibia is placed 157th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Namibia?
47.49 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Namibia?
47.1 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Namibia compare with South Africa on work & labour?
South Africa is placed joint 134th of 182, and Namibia 157th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: South Africa 37.58, Namibia 47.49; Labour Income Share: South Africa 52.64, Namibia 47.1; Unemployment Rate: South Africa 32.39, Namibia 19.29; Vulnerable Employment: South Africa 11.66, Namibia 29.94.
How have Namibia’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 43.14 in 2000 to 47.49 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 53.69 in 2004 to 47.1 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 20.3 in 2000 to 19.29 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 37.7 in 2000 to 29.94 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Namibia?
No current reading is published for Namibia on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees, Statutory Minimum Wage and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Namibia: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/namibia/work