Namibia  

The unemployment rate in Namibia is extremely high, affecting nearly a quarter of the workforce. Inflation rates are also above the international average, at nearly 7%. The domestic savings rate ranks Namibia just above the global average at 25%, but household expenditure is very low at only 22% of GDP, ranking the country in the bottom five countries, worldwide. The proportion of non-performing loans is around the international median, but interest margins between borrowers and lenders are relatively high, with a gap of over five percentage points, suggesting inefficiency in the banking system. Namibia places near the global average with regard to physical capital per worker. Accounting for over 17% of its exports, Namibia has a relatively high reliance on raw materials, but the country’s ratio of export revenues comparative to the cost of its imports is higher, ranking comparative to worldwide averages. Foreign direct investment in Namibia is low, at just 2% of GDP.

There are 10 start up processes required for new businesses in Namibia, an average number, internationally. In terms of value added by the service industry, Namibia ranks around the global average at 58%. However, in terms of internet bandwidth Namibia is in the bottom 10 countries, worldwide. The number of secure internet servers per head is higher, at eight per million capita, and the number of personal computers per head puts Namibia in the top 40 countries on this variable. ICT exports account for 0.5% of total exports, an average proportion globally, while high-tech exports are also around the global average at 7% of manufactured goods. Royalty receipts are also about average, suggesting reasonable capitalisation on intellectual property. However, the amount of R&D expenditure as a proportion of GDP is low at just 0.15%.

Namibians have high levels of both political rights and civil liberties. Namibia is categorised as a democracy, but there are very few constraints on the power of the executive, meaning that authorities can pass laws fairly easily without the presence of checks and balances. Although multiple parties participate in elections, one party holds the vast majority of the power, and the electoral process is not well regulated. However, elections for the legislative branch are much more competitive, and the judiciary in Namibia is independent of other branches of government. Namibia has a moderately stable political regime, with the last fundamental regime change having occurred less than 20 years ago.

Only just over three-quarters of primary age children attend school in Namibia, ranking the country 93rd on this variable. The ratio of students to teachers is very high at 30 to one, ranking the country 78th on this variable. Secondary and tertiary enrolment rates are not much better as Namibia ranks in the bottom quintile in both measures. The amount of education given to the average Namibian worker is five years of secondary schooling, for which Namibia ranks below the global average, while only three years of tertiary schooling pushes the country down into the bottom quintile, globally. Educational funding also ranks below the international median, at just over $1,000 per student. However, in terms of equality of enrolment, Namibia has a ratio of 104 girls to every 100 boys in primary and secondary schooling.

There are a very low number of doctors and nurses in Namibia, ranking the country in the bottom quintile, worldwide. Health-adjusted life expectancy is very low at just 43, while nearly a quarter of all Namibians are undernourished. Infant mortality is very high, with 46 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Although, only 35% of Namibians have access to improved sanitation facilities, 82% of citizens are pleased with the quality of their water, ranking the country in the top 30, worldwide, on this variable.* A very high 87% of Namibians are satisfied with their general level of health, ranking the country in the top 20, globally, while only 17% consider themselves to have serious health problems, the sixth lowest proportion of all countries.* Namibia ranks fourth, worldwide, with 81% believing they are well rested, while only 18% were in pain the previous day, ranking the country 15th in the world.* No data was available on the number of hospital beds per capita in Nambia.

Namibia has some security challenges related to the presence of both refugees and groups with a history of discrimination, as well as government sponsored violence. The country also has a serious problem with human flight from degrading or dangerous conditions, ranking the country in the bottom 15, worldwide, on this variable. Namibia has not suffered any casualties due to civil wars in 2008. However, domestic crime rates are very high: the homicide rate, at 15 homicides per 100,000 per year, ranks in the worst third of all countries. Nearly one quarter of Namibians had property stolen in 2008, and 14% were assaulted; Namibia ranks in the bottom 15, worldwide, on both variables.* Similarly, just a third of Namibians feel safe walking the streets at night where they live, ranking the country 102nd on this variable, globally.

The rule of law is enforced to a moderate level in Namibia, ranking the country just above the global average. The quality of regulation in the commercial and economic sectors is also around the international median, as is the efficiency of the governmental bureaucracy. Over four-fifths of Namibians have confidence in their military, a high number, internationally.* The right to free and fair election is limited to a degree in Namibia; despite this, over three-quarters are confident in the honesty of the electoral process, ranking the country 13th, worldwide.* A slightly less impressive four-fifths of Namibians believe there is widespread corruption in local businesses, and 86% believe the same of local government.* A very high 78% approve of the Namibian court system.*

Namibians have high levels of freedom with regard to speech, movement, and religion. Over three-quarters of Namibians are happy with their level of freedom of choice, ranking the country above the global average on this variable.* Tolerance of ethnic minorities in Namibia ranks in the top 30, worldwide, with over three-quarters believing their area to be a suitable place for ethnic minorities to live; however, the same cannot be said of immigrants, with only 58% recommending their area to immigrants to live.

Namibia is one of the 15 most religious countries in the Index, with 80% of people considering religion to be an important part of their everyday lives, suggesting a high level of access to religious support networks.* Five-sixths of Namibian citizens reported that they could rely on their family and friends in times of need.* The number of Namibians that donated to charity in the previous month was just 17%, ranking the country in the lowest quintile, and volunteering amongst citizens was also below the global aeverage.* However, nearly half of Namibians have helped a stranger in the last month, ranking the country above the global average.* No data were available on the importance of friends, social trust, and group membership for Namibia.

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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