Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia

Namibia: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 19.9% in 2018. ▬ Flat

Latest (2018)
19.9%
Change on year
down 14.9%
World rank
6th
of 187 countries
All-time high
37.6%
in 2008
All-time low
16.8%
in 2012
Years of data
13
1991–2018

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia, 1991–2018

0102030401991200420181991: 19.11994: 19.41997: 19.52000: 20.32001: 31.22004: 22.12008: 37.62010: 22.12012: 16.82013: 192014: 18.52016: 23.42018: 19.9

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

Namibia recorded 19.9% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2018.

The figure is down 14.9% on the previous year and down 47.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia peaked at 37.6% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 16.8%, in 2012.

Namibia ranks 6th of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) in Namibia, 1991 to 2018.
Year Value Change
1991 19.1%
1994 19.4% +1.4%
1997 19.5% +0.5%
2000 20.3% +4.1%
2001 31.2% +53.7%
2004 22.1% -29.2%
2008 37.6% +70.1%
2010 22.1% -41.1%
2012 16.8% -24.2%
2013 19.0% +13.5%
2014 18.5% -2.7%
2016 23.4% +26.1%
2018 19.9% -14.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 19.3% 19.1% 19.5% 3
2000s 27.8% 20.3% 37.6% 4
2010s 19.9% 16.8% 23.4% 6

Countries ranked near Namibia

  1. 3 Palestine 28.7% compare
  2. 4 Botswana 24.4% compare
  3. 5 French Polynesia 21.8% compare
  4. 7 Curacao 19.1% compare
  5. 8 Lesotho 18.7% compare
  6. 9 Jordan 16.8% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Namibia

All data for Namibia →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia?
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia was 19.9% in 2018, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Namibia?
The highest recorded value was 37.6% in 2008.
What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Namibia?
The lowest recorded value was 16.8% in 2012.
How does Namibia rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
Namibia ranks 6th out of 187 countries with data for 2018.
Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Namibia?
Over the last ten years it is down 47.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Namibia data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Namibia. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-national-estimate/namibia/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
220 places, 6,054 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.