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Economy of Namibia vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 147/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Namibia vs Switzerland GDP by year

Namibia
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Switzerland
2024 $13,372,354,512 $936,564,198,049
2023 $12,408,271,449 $894,424,821,645
2022 $12,569,449,123 $828,508,926,958
2021 $12,402,486,184 $815,309,330,987
2020 $10,583,748,542 $741,999,406,006
2019 $12,541,928,303 $721,369,112,727
2018 $13,682,019,076 $725,568,717,468
2017 $12,895,153,371 $695,200,833,086
2016 $10,722,018,732 $687,895,460,903
2015 $11,335,161,084 $694,118,186,380
2014 $12,435,430,970 $726,537,808,338
2013 $12,043,307,277 $706,234,937,371
2012 $13,042,053,592 $686,420,221,558
2011 $12,523,359,441 $715,888,126,682
2010 $11,431,412,421 $598,851,028,907
2009 $8,938,847,189 $554,212,916,092
2008 $8,607,431,497 $567,267,767,519
2007 $8,839,536,476 $490,740,715,595
2006 $8,001,779,551 $441,634,672,197
2005 $7,248,374,838 $418,284,865,885
2004 $6,609,205,995 $403,912,891,033
2003 $4,926,439,384 $362,075,086,508
2002 $3,349,169,826 $309,301,422,430
2001 $3,557,341,215 $286,582,672,434
2000 $3,922,232,165 $279,216,033,870
1999 $3,868,551,730 $297,873,643,323
1998 $3,873,109,866 $303,459,014,347
1997 $4,154,989,950 $294,788,198,856
1996 $3,989,163,197 $340,103,959,547
1995 $3,978,514,206 $352,835,806,342
1994 $3,666,503,530 $301,375,055,202
1993 $3,251,188,833 $272,237,527,071
1992 $3,429,521,699 $279,921,425,828
1991 $2,996,869,281 $268,901,693,863
1990 $2,789,921,854 $265,763,573,999
1989 $2,535,135,798 $208,105,846,934
1988 $2,495,094,746 $215,540,625,299
1987 $2,300,068,217 $199,236,370,038
1986 $1,809,048,527 $159,089,921,063
1985 $1,608,237,350 $110,980,314,192
1984 $1,951,260,038 $109,455,312,168
1983 $2,297,400,688 $114,634,358,535
1982 $2,118,710,248 $115,043,365,512
1981 $2,249,908,578 $112,244,805,519
1980 $2,421,990,338 $122,557,843,886
1979 - $114,970,094,425
1978 - $102,280,472,036
1977 - $73,135,771,167
1976 - $68,476,524,644
1975 - $65,466,081,819
1974 - $57,103,011,446
1973 - $49,550,006,320
1972 - $36,844,318,854
1971 - $30,040,171,751
1970 - $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Switzerland by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $1,967 - $31,309 -
1988 $2,063 - $32,690 -
1987 $1,969 - $30,441 -
1986 $1,599 - $24,460 -
1985 $1,466 - $17,152 -
1984 $1,830 - $16,991 -
1983 $2,214 - $17,859 -
1982 $2,097 - $18,000 -
1981 $2,267 - $17,665 -
1980 $2,468 - $19,394 -
1979 - - $18,266 -
1978 - - $16,282 -
1977 - - $11,644 -
1976 - - $10,865 -
1975 - - $10,328 -
1974 - - $9,005 -
1973 - - $7,856 -
1972 - - $5,885 -
1971 - - $4,835 -
1970 - - $4,044 -
1969 - - $3,657 -
1968 - - $3,413 -
1967 - - $3,237 -
1966 - - $3,045 -
1965 - - $2,865 -
1964 - - $2,735 -
1963 - - $2,508 -
1962 - - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Namibia Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
4.34%
2024
Population
3173089
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 37% 67.2% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 34.4% 41%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 37% 43.2%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 32% 39.6%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 35% 24.6% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 32% 15.9% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 30% 44.8%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 33% 51.3%
1995 29.6% 18% 32.4% 50%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 33% 11.8% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 61/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Switzerland
2024 -3.59% 0.58%
2023 -3.14% 0.12%
2022 -6.33% 1.19%
2021 -8.68% -0.29%
2020 -8.07% -3.01%
2019 -5.49% 1.34%
2018 -5.09% 1.29%
2017 -4.99% 1.13%
2016 -9.3% 0.24%
2015 -8.3% 0.55%
2014 -6.44% -0.25%
2013 -4.69% -0.43%
2012 -3.1% 0.24%
2011 -7.09% 0.68%
2010 -4.98% 0.35%
2009 -0.4% 0.5%
2008 3.48% 1.93%
2007 6.01% 1.57%
2006 3.41% 0.85%
2005 -0.31% -0.65%
2004 -2.67% -1.39%
2003 -4.47% -1.36%
2002 -1.38% -1.75%
2001 -2.01% 0.21%
2000 -0.79% 0.28%
1999 -1.88% -1.57%
1998 -2.76% -1.31%
1997 -2.38% -2.33%
1996 -3.7% -2.01%
1995 -1.74% -1.86%
1994 -0.57% -2.59%
1993 -2.73% -3.15%
1992 -2.55% -2.96%
1991 -1.59% -1.85%
1990 1.08% -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.45% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Switzerland
2024 4.2% 1.06%
2023 5.9% 2.14%
2022 6.1% 2.84%
2021 3.6% 0.58%
2020 2.2% -0.73%
2019 3.7% 0.36%
2018 4.3% 0.94%
2017 6.1% 0.53%
2016 6.7% -0.43%
2015 3.4% -1.14%
2014 5.3% -0.01%
2013 5.6% -0.22%
2012 6.7% -0.69%
2011 5% 0.23%
2010 4.9% 0.69%
2009 9.5% -0.48%
2008 9.1% 2.43%
2007 6.5% 0.73%
2006 5% 1.06%
2005 2.3% 1.17%
2004 4.1% 0.8%
2003 7.2% 0.64%
2002 12.7% 0.64%
2001 10.2% 0.99%
2000 10.2% 1.56%
1999 9.4% 0.81%
1998 6.6% 0.02%
1997 9.7% 0.52%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.42M
Machinery & equipment $208K
Animal & marine products $61K
Chemicals & pharma $36K
Metals $27K
Textiles & consumer goods $26K
Miscellaneous $20K
Wood & paper products $8K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $686K
Machinery & equipment $590K
Metals $531K
Textiles & consumer goods $139K
Chemicals & pharma $64K
Precious metals & jewellery $21K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Miscellaneous $7K
Weapons & explosives $3K
Animal & marine products $2K

Balance of trade

Namibia Switzerland
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Namibia Switzerland
Economic freedom 60.2 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 2/197
Property rights 63.1 94.4
Government integrity 51.5 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 98.3
Tax burden 66.4 70.9
Government spending 57.1 69.5
Fiscal health 60.5 97.2
Business freedom 58 86.3
Labor freedom 62.7 60
Monetary freedom 76.1 82.3
Trade freedom 69.8 87
Investment freedom 50 85
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Switzerland
2026 60.2 83.7
2025 58.7 83.7
2024 57.5 83
2023 57.7 83.8
2022 59.2 84.2
2021 62.6 81.9
2020 60.9 82
2019 58.7 81.9
2018 58.5 81.7
2017 62.5 81.5
2016 61.9 81
2015 59.6 80.5
2014 59.4 81.6
2013 60.3 81
2012 61.9 81.1
2011 62.7 81.9
2010 62.2 81.1
2009 62.4 79.4
2008 61.4 79.5
2007 63.5 78
2006 60.7 78.9
2005 61.4 79.3
2004 62.4 79.5
2003 67.3 79
2002 65.1 79.3
2001 64.8 76
2000 66.7 76.8
1999 66.1 79.1
1998 66.1 79
1997 61.6 78.6
1996 - 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
27%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/switzerland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.