Male labor force participation rate in Namibia
Namibia: Male labor force participation rate was 63.0% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
63.0%
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
143rd
of 186 countries
All-time high
65.9%
in 2016
All-time low
59.8%
in 2020
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Male labor force participation rate in Namibia, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Namibia recorded 63.0% for male labor force participation rate in 2025.
The figure is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 3.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, male labor force participation rate in Namibia peaked at 65.9% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 59.8%, in 2020.
Namibia ranks 143rd of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Male labor force participation rate in Namibia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 62.8% | — |
| 1991 | 62.7% | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 62.7% | -0.0% |
| 1993 | 62.7% | -0.0% |
| 1994 | 62.7% | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 62.1% | -1.0% |
| 1996 | 61.5% | -1.0% |
| 1997 | 60.8% | -1.0% |
| 1998 | 61.1% | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 61.4% | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 61.7% | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 61.8% | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 61.9% | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 61.9% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 62.0% | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 62.0% | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 62.1% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 62.1% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 62.2% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 62.3% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 62.3% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 62.4% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 62.4% | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 65.1% | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 64.8% | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 65.3% | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 65.9% | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 64.3% | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 62.7% | -2.5% |
| 2019 | 62.8% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 59.8% | -4.8% |
| 2021 | 60.1% | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 63.4% | +5.4% |
| 2023 | 63.3% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 63.1% | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 63.0% | -0.1% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 63.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 70.3%, 90% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 63.0% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 70.1%, 90% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 62.1% | 60.8% | 62.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 62.0% | 61.7% | 62.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 63.8% | 62.3% | 65.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 62.1% | 59.8% | 63.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More work & labour data for Namibia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0906 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0929 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.3746 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,116 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,223 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 3,070 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,828 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,898 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is male labor force participation rate in Namibia?
- Male labor force participation rate in Namibia was 63.0% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest male labor force participation rate recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 65.9% in 2016.
- What is the lowest male labor force participation rate recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 59.8% in 2020.
- How does Namibia rank for male labor force participation rate?
- Namibia ranks 143rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is male labor force participation rate rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Namibia data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Male labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the male working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).