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Namibia vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a population of 3.03M (ranked 136/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Namibia's land area is 317,874 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 33rd vs. 37th).

By GDP, Namibia ranks 147/197 ($13.4B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Namibia ranks 126/197 ($4,413), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Namibia Zambia
Population
3173089
22697916
Population rank 134/197 62/197
GDP
$13.4B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 147/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 126/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 100/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 317,874 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
9.93 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.21
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
22.1 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.8 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Namibia and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Namibia and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Namibia

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Namibia Zambia
2024 $13,372,354,512 $25,303,185,342
2023 $12,408,271,449 $27,577,956,471
2022 $12,569,449,123 $29,163,782,140
2021 $12,402,486,184 $22,096,416,932
2020 $10,583,748,542 $18,137,764,931
2019 $12,541,928,303 $23,308,667,781
2018 $13,682,019,076 $26,311,507,274
2017 $12,895,153,371 $25,873,601,261
2016 $10,722,018,732 $20,958,412,538
2015 $11,335,161,084 $21,251,216,799
2014 $12,435,430,970 $27,141,023,558
2013 $12,043,307,277 $28,037,239,463
2012 $13,042,053,592 $25,503,060,420
2011 $12,523,359,441 $23,459,515,276
2010 $11,431,412,421 $20,265,559,484
2009 $8,938,847,189 $15,328,342,304
2008 $8,607,431,497 $17,910,858,638
2007 $8,839,536,476 $14,056,957,976
2006 $8,001,779,551 $12,756,858,899
2005 $7,248,374,838 $8,331,870,169
2004 $6,609,205,995 $6,221,110,219
2003 $4,926,439,384 $4,901,869,764
2002 $3,349,169,826 $4,193,850,445
2001 $3,557,341,215 $4,094,441,301
2000 $3,922,232,165 $3,600,632,111
1999 $3,868,551,730 $3,404,284,891
1998 $3,873,109,866 $3,537,741,942
1997 $4,154,989,950 $4,303,288,480
1996 $3,989,163,197 $3,597,220,962
1995 $3,978,514,206 $3,806,983,413
1994 $3,666,503,530 $3,656,806,166
1993 $3,251,188,833 $3,273,505,344
1992 $3,429,521,699 $3,182,810,841
1991 $2,996,869,281 $3,376,806,697
1990 $2,789,921,854 $3,288,381,797
1989 $2,535,135,798 $3,994,673,161
1988 $2,495,094,746 $3,728,878,149
1987 $2,300,068,217 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,809,048,527 $1,664,413,508
1985 $1,608,237,350 $2,252,454,500
1984 $1,951,260,038 $2,719,518,933
1983 $2,297,400,688 $3,321,048,451
1982 $2,118,710,248 $3,871,117,093
1981 $2,249,908,578 $4,008,126,497
1980 $2,421,990,338 $3,884,530,854
1979 - $3,353,445,378
1978 - $2,811,032,473
1977 - $2,515,296,940
1976 - $2,742,859,263
1975 - $2,442,672,141
1974 - $2,910,981,262
1973 - $2,434,255,237
1972 - $1,872,416,680
1971 - $1,653,259,341
1970 - $1,788,779,285
1969 - $1,926,399,230
1968 - $1,573,739,371
1967 - $1,340,639,464
1966 - $1,238,999,505
1965 - $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

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

GeoRank.org/facts/namibia/zambia | CC BY

Namibia and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Namibia

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Namibia Zambia
2024 $4,413 $1,187
2023 $4,188 $1,331
2022 $4,350 $1,447
2021 $4,413 $1,127
2020 $3,879 $952
2019 $4,732 $1,259
2018 $5,309 $1,464
2017 $5,144 $1,483
2016 $4,396 $1,239
2015 $4,774 $1,296
2014 $5,378 $1,707
2013 $5,347 $1,821
2012 $5,943 $1,710
2011 $5,835 $1,625
2010 $5,418 $1,451
2009 $4,303 $1,136
2008 $4,205 $1,376
2007 $4,379 $1,119
2006 $4,017 $1,052
2005 $3,686 $711
2004 $3,403 $549
2003 $2,569 $446
2002 $1,772 $394
2001 $1,916 $397
2000 $2,157 $359
1999 $2,178 $350
1998 $2,235 $373
1997 $2,460 $466
1996 $2,423 $400
1995 $2,483 $433
1994 $2,356 $426
1993 $2,155 $391
1992 $2,347 $389
1991 $2,117 $423
1990 $2,037 $422
1989 $1,967 $526
1988 $2,063 $504
1987 $1,969 $315
1986 $1,599 $238.2
1985 $1,466 $332
1984 $1,830 $413
1983 $2,214 $520
1982 $2,097 $627
1981 $2,267 $670
1980 $2,468 $669
1979 - $595
1978 - $514
1977 - $474
1976 - $533
1975 - $490
1974 - $601
1973 - $518
1972 - $410
1971 - $372
1970 - $414
1969 - $459
1968 - $387
1967 - $341
1966 - $325
1965 - $287.4
1964 - $230
1963 - $203.2
1962 - $202.3
1961 - $209.7
1960 - $221.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/namibia/zambia | CC BY

Namibia vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Namibia

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Namibia Zambia
2026 67.8 66.9
2025 67.7 66.7
2024 67.5 66.5
2023 67.4 66.3
2022 64.2 65.3
2021 60.8 62.4
2020 64.1 63.4
2019 63.5 62.9
2018 62.6 62.1
2017 61.7 61.6
2016 60.8 61.1
2015 60 60.7
2014 59.3 60.1
2013 58.5 59.4
2012 57.7 58.7
2011 56.6 57.8
2010 56.1 56.9
2009 55.3 55.9
2008 54.7 54.8
2007 54 53.7
2006 53.2 52.7
2005 52.6 51.6
2004 52.2 50.5
2003 51.9 49.6
2002 52 48.5
2001 52 47.4
2000 52.9 46.6
1999 54 45.9
1998 54.8 45.7
1997 55.8 45.7
1996 56.6 45.8
1995 57.5 46.1
1994 58.4 46.3
1993 59.3 46.7
1992 60.2 47
1991 60.8 47.4
1990 61.4 48.2
1989 60.8 48.9
1988 59 49.7
1987 59.1 50.4
1986 58.7 51.1
1985 58.5 52
1984 58.1 52.9
1983 57.6 53.7
1982 57.3 54.4
1981 56.9 55
1980 56.6 55.5
1979 59.5 56
1978 59.1 56.3
1977 58.6 56.3
1976 58 56.1
1975 57.6 55.7
1974 56.9 55.4
1973 56.4 54.9
1972 55.8 54.4
1971 55.3 53.9
1970 54.7 53.4
1969 54.1 53
1968 53.6 52.7
1967 52.9 52.5
1966 52.3 52.3
1965 52 52.1
1964 51.3 51.2
1963 50.6 51.6
1962 50 51.3
1961 49.2 51
1960 48.5 50.6
1959 47.8 50.3
1958 47.1 49.9
1957 46.4 49.5
1956 45.7 49.1
1955 45 48.8
1954 44.4 48.4
1953 43.8 48
1952 43.1 47.6
1951 42.5 47.2
1950 41.9 46.8

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/namibia/zambia | CC BY

Namibia and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Namibia

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Namibia Zambia
2024 3,030,131 21,314,956
2023 2,963,095 20,723,965
2022 2,889,662 20,152,938
2021 2,810,548 19,603,607
2020 2,728,762 19,059,395
2019 2,650,494 18,513,839
2018 2,577,327 17,973,569
2017 2,506,853 17,441,320
2016 2,439,213 16,914,423
2015 2,374,300 16,399,089
2014 2,312,139 15,895,315
2013 2,252,508 15,398,997
2012 2,194,654 14,913,629
2011 2,146,325 14,437,796
2010 2,109,811 13,965,594
2009 2,077,394 13,490,389
2008 2,047,056 13,021,324
2007 2,018,600 12,565,085
2006 1,991,888 12,129,553
2005 1,966,582 11,718,819
2004 1,942,082 11,338,198
2003 1,917,464 10,983,595
2002 1,889,970 10,647,949
2001 1,857,048 10,325,185
2000 1,818,647 10,017,631
1999 1,776,368 9,740,005
1998 1,732,745 9,482,408
1997 1,689,264 9,237,063
1996 1,646,103 9,004,053
1995 1,602,170 8,785,763
1994 1,556,304 8,576,269
1993 1,508,697 8,373,921
1992 1,461,322 8,176,680
1991 1,415,684 7,981,650
1990 1,369,303 7,786,169
1989 1,288,947 7,589,216
1988 1,209,696 7,391,440
1987 1,167,889 7,191,282
1986 1,131,081 6,986,471
1985 1,096,890 6,780,953
1984 1,065,989 6,580,490
1983 1,037,511 6,381,038
1982 1,010,308 6,178,637
1981 992,500 5,983,289
1980 981,434 5,802,833
1979 962,825 5,631,728
1978 947,269 5,465,374
1977 931,104 5,302,480
1976 906,566 5,143,842
1975 881,032 4,990,086
1974 854,320 4,842,746
1973 828,928 4,702,693
1972 804,399 4,569,309
1971 780,584 4,442,525
1970 757,868 4,321,718
1969 736,120 4,197,116
1968 715,542 4,065,593
1967 696,045 3,936,343
1966 677,655 3,812,003
1965 660,558 3,692,086
1964 644,530 3,577,017
1963 629,589 3,465,907
1962 615,759 3,358,099
1961 603,067 3,254,086
1960 591,465 3,153,729

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

GeoRank.org/facts/namibia/zambia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Namibia and Zambia

Fertility rate
Namibia

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Namibia Zambia
2023 3.21 4.1
2022 3.25 4.18
2021 3.3 4.25
2020 3.35 4.32
2019 3.4 4.42
2018 3.46 4.49
2017 3.51 4.57
2016 3.57 4.67
2015 3.6 4.78
2014 3.64 4.89
2013 3.65 5.01
2012 3.68 5.14
2011 3.66 5.26
2010 3.66 5.36
2009 3.63 5.45
2008 3.62 5.53
2007 3.61 5.61
2006 3.6 5.68
2005 3.57 5.7
2004 3.55 5.7
2003 3.58 5.71
2002 3.69 5.77
2001 3.83 5.85
2000 3.99 5.92
1999 4.14 6
1998 4.18 6.07
1997 4.17 6.12
1996 4.2 6.18
1995 4.42 6.23
1994 4.68 6.26
1993 4.91 6.3
1992 5.11 6.35
1991 5.29 6.46
1990 5.4 6.57
1989 5.52 6.64
1988 5.61 6.7
1987 5.7 6.8
1986 5.79 6.87
1985 5.88 6.93
1984 5.94 6.97
1983 6 7.01
1982 6.08 7.04
1981 6.16 7.07
1980 6.24 7.14
1979 6.31 7.22
1978 6.38 7.29
1977 6.44 7.35
1976 6.49 7.39
1975 6.53 7.42
1974 6.55 7.36
1973 6.54 7.34
1972 6.53 7.3
1971 6.52 7.26
1970 6.52 7.22
1969 6.51 7.18
1968 6.5 7.18
1967 6.49 7.15
1966 6.47 7.14
1965 6.45 7.12
1964 6.43 7.09
1963 6.41 7.06
1962 6.35 7.01
1961 6.29 6.98
1960 6.24 6.95

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/namibia/zambia | CC BY

Namibia and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Namibia

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Namibia Zambia
2024 22.1 18.8
2023 21.9 18.6
2022 21.8 18.4
2021 21.8 18.2
2020 21.8 18
2019 21.8 17.9
2018 21.7 17.7
2017 21.6 17.5
2016 21.5 17.4
2015 21.4 17.2
2014 21.3 17.1
2013 21.1 17
2012 20.9 16.9
2011 20.7 16.8
2010 20.5 16.7
2009 20.3 16.6
2008 20 16.5
2007 19.9 16.4
2006 19.7 16.3
2005 19.6 16.3
2004 19.4 16.2
2003 19.3 16.1
2002 19.2 16
2001 19.1 15.9
2000 19 15.9
1999 18.9 15.8
1998 18.9 15.8
1997 18.8 15.8
1996 18.7 15.8
1995 18.6 15.8
1994 18.5 15.8
1993 18.5 15.8
1992 18.4 15.8
1991 18.4 15.7
1990 18.3 15.7
1989 17.8 15.7
1988 17.3 15.6
1987 17 15.6
1986 16.9 15.5
1985 16.7 15.5
1984 16.5 15.4
1983 16.4 15.4
1982 16.3 15.3
1981 16.4 15.3
1980 16.6 15.2
1979 16.8 15.3
1978 17 15.3
1977 17.3 15.4
1976 17.5 15.4
1975 17.6 15.5
1974 17.7 15.7
1973 17.8 15.8
1972 17.9 15.9
1971 18 16.1
1970 18.1 16.2
1969 18.1 16.4
1968 18.2 16.4
1967 18.3 16.5
1966 18.3 16.5
1965 18.4 16.6
1964 18.4 16.6
1963 18.5 16.7
1962 18.6 16.8
1961 18.7 16.9
1960 18.9 17

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

GeoRank.org/facts/namibia/zambia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Namibia Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
9.08%
2024
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.73%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
16,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.59%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
60.2
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
1.5%
2022
Listed domestic companies
12
2024
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$96.7M
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
187,100
2020
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
3.99%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
72.9%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

Namibia Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
692 kg
2022
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$15.4
2022
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
3.65 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.2 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
53.5%
2022
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
30%
2021
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
5.88%
2022
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.5%
2022
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,231 kWh
2022
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
90.9%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
58.7%
2022
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
56.7%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Namibia Zambia
% of world population
0.04%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,866
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
50.4%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.57 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
41.8
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
46
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
40
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
12.5
2021
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
34.8
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
79
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
87.6%
2023
82%
2023
English speaking
17.2%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
64.4%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Namibia Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$397
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$29.7
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
67.8 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
11.4%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.55
2022
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
21.6 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
139
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
40.7
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
17.5%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.3%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
36
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
14.1%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
5.05 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Namibia Zambia
% of world land
0.55%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
104,904 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
149,854 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
24,810 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length n/a
42,049 mi
2018

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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