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Economy of Namibia vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 147/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Namibia vs United States GDP by year

Namibia
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia United States
2024 $13,372,354,512 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $12,408,271,449 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $12,569,449,123 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $12,402,486,184 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $10,583,748,542 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $12,541,928,303 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $13,682,019,076 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $12,895,153,371 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $10,722,018,732 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $11,335,161,084 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $12,435,430,970 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $12,043,307,277 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $13,042,053,592 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $12,523,359,441 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $11,431,412,421 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $8,938,847,189 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $8,607,431,497 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $8,839,536,476 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $8,001,779,551 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $7,248,374,838 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $6,609,205,995 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $4,926,439,384 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $3,349,169,826 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $3,557,341,215 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $3,922,232,165 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $3,868,551,730 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $3,873,109,866 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $4,154,989,950 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $3,989,163,197 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $3,978,514,206 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $3,666,503,530 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $3,251,188,833 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $3,429,521,699 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $2,996,869,281 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $2,789,921,854 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $2,535,135,798 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $2,495,094,746 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $2,300,068,217 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $1,809,048,527 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $1,608,237,350 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $1,951,260,038 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $2,297,400,688 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $2,118,710,248 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $2,249,908,578 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $2,421,990,338 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs United States by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $1,967 - $22,857 -
1988 $2,063 - $21,417 -
1987 $1,969 - $20,039 -
1986 $1,599 - $19,071 -
1985 $1,466 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,830 - $17,121 -
1983 $2,214 - $15,544 -
1982 $2,097 - $14,434 -
1981 $2,267 - $13,976 -
1980 $2,468 - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/united-states | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Namibia United States
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
4.02%
2024
Population
3173089
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 37% 67.2% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 43.2% 125%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 35% 105.4%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 35.8% 105%
2012 35% 24.6% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 38.8% 100%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 32% 15.9% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 34% 59%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 29.6% 18% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 33% 11.8% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 61/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia United States
2024 -3.59% -8.03%
2023 -3.14% -7.8%
2022 -6.33% -3.72%
2021 -8.68% -11.4%
2020 -8.07% -14.1%
2019 -5.49% -5.81%
2018 -5.09% -5.33%
2017 -4.99% -4.79%
2016 -9.3% -4.36%
2015 -8.3% -3.53%
2014 -6.44% -4.03%
2013 -4.69% -4.56%
2012 -3.1% -8.11%
2011 -7.09% -9.72%
2010 -4.98% -11%
2009 -0.4% -13.2%
2008 3.48% -6.61%
2007 6.01% -2.91%
2006 3.41% -2.04%
2005 -0.31% -3.07%
2004 -2.67% -4.24%
2003 -4.47% -4.77%
2002 -1.38% -3.82%
2001 -2.01% -0.54%
2000 -0.79% 3.62%
1999 -1.88% 2.71%
1998 -2.76% 2.18%
1997 -2.38% 0.88%
1996 -3.7% -0.46%
1995 -1.74% -1.7%
1994 -0.57% -2.05%
1993 -2.73% -3.35%
1992 -2.55% -3.98%
1991 -1.59% -2.72%
1990 1.08% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia United States
2024 4.2% 2.95%
2023 5.9% 4.12%
2022 6.1% 8%
2021 3.6% 4.7%
2020 2.2% 1.23%
2019 3.7% 1.81%
2018 4.3% 2.44%
2017 6.1% 2.13%
2016 6.7% 1.26%
2015 3.4% 0.12%
2014 5.3% 1.62%
2013 5.6% 1.46%
2012 6.7% 2.07%
2011 5% 3.16%
2010 4.9% 1.64%
2009 9.5% -0.36%
2008 9.1% 3.84%
2007 6.5% 2.85%
2006 5% 3.23%
2005 2.3% 3.39%
2004 4.1% 2.68%
2003 7.2% 2.27%
2002 12.7% 1.59%
2001 10.2% 2.83%
2000 10.2% 3.38%
1999 9.4% 2.19%
1998 6.6% 1.55%
1997 9.7% 2.34%

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/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $122M
Precious metals & jewellery $39.1M
Animal & marine products $4.98M
Machinery & equipment $3.39M
Chemicals & pharma $1.41M
Wood & paper products $843K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $349K
Textiles & consumer goods $273K
Metals $244K
Miscellaneous $67K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $75.5M
Miscellaneous $27.7M
Raw agricultural goods $21.2M
Chemicals & pharma $13.5M
Raw materials & minerals $8.48M
Metals $6.34M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.29M
Weapons & explosives $2.12M
Animal & marine products $1.63M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.29M

Balance of trade

Namibia United States
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia United States
Economic freedom 60.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 27/197
Property rights 63.1 91.6
Government integrity 51.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 76.4
Tax burden 66.4 75.3
Government spending 57.1 57.9
Fiscal health 60.5 18.5
Business freedom 58 88.6
Labor freedom 62.7 76.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 84.2
Trade freedom 69.8 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia United States
2026 60.2 72.8
2025 58.7 70.2
2024 57.5 70.1
2023 57.7 70.6
2022 59.2 72.1
2021 62.6 74.8
2020 60.9 76.6
2019 58.7 76.8
2018 58.5 75.7
2017 62.5 75.1
2016 61.9 75.4
2015 59.6 76.2
2014 59.4 75.5
2013 60.3 76
2012 61.9 76.3
2011 62.7 77.8
2010 62.2 78
2009 62.4 80.7
2008 61.4 81
2007 63.5 81.2
2006 60.7 81.2
2005 61.4 79.9
2004 62.4 78.7
2003 67.3 78.2
2002 65.1 78.4
2001 64.8 79.1
2000 66.7 76.4
1999 66.1 75.5
1998 66.1 75.4
1997 61.6 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia United States
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | 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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.