Economy overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for further export. The mining industry produces 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth largest exporter of non-combustible minerals in Africa and the fifth largest producer of uranium in the world. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia an important source of gem diamonds. Namibia also mines large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver and tungsten. Half of the population is engaged in agriculture (mostly subsistence) for their livelihood. Namibia has to import some of the necessary food. Although the share of GDP per capita is four times that of poor African countries, the majority of the population lives in poverty as a result of mass unemployment, great inequality in the distribution of income and the redistribution of produced national wealth in favor of foreigners. The economy of Namibia has close ties with South Africa. GDP growth should accelerate in 2000-01. thanks to growth in the diamond and fish industries. An agreement has been reached on the privatization of several enterprises in the coming years, which should stimulate long-term foreign investment. Growth in 2001 should be 5.5% if the world economy remains stable. which should stimulate the flow of long-term foreign investment. Growth in 2001 should be 5.5% if the world economy remains stable. which should stimulate the flow of long-term foreign investment. Growth in 2001 should be 5.5% if the world economy remains stable. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $7.6 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: Purchasing Power Parity $4,300 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 12%; industry: 25%;, services: 63% (1999 est.). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 9.1% (2000). Labor force: 500,000 people Employment structure: agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.). Unemployment rate: 30 to 40% including part-time employment (1997 est.). Budget: revenues: $883 million; expenditures: $950 million, including capital investments – n/a (1998). Spheres of economy: production of canned meat, fish processing, dairy farming; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper). Growth in industrial production: no data available. Electricity generation: 1.198 billion kWh (1999) Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 2%; hydropower: 98%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 1.948 billion kWh (1999). Electricity export: 56 million kWh (1999). Electricity import: 890 million kWh; note: electricity is imported from South Africa (1999). Agricultural products: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish. Exports: $1.4 billion (free on board, 2000 est.) Export items: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, astrakhan skins. Export partners: UK 43%, South Africa 26%, Spain 14%, France 8%, Japan (1998 est.). Imports: $1.6 billion (free on board, 1999 est.) Import articles: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuels, machinery and equipment, chemicals. Import partners: South Africa 81%, USA 4%, Germany 2% (1997 est.). External debt: $217 million (2000 est.) Economic aid recipient: $127 million (1998) Economic Assistance Donor: Currency: Namibian dollar; Rand of South Africa. Currency code: NAD; ZAR. Exchange rate: NAD/USD – 7.78307 (January 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996). Fiscal year: April 1-March 31.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 100 848 (1997). Mobile cell phones: no data. Telephone system: internal: good communication in cities; good enough in the countryside; microwave radio relay links connect large cities; connection with other settlements via overhead communication lines; communication is completely digital; international: fiber optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connection with Africa ONE and South African Far East submarine cables (South Africa – Far East) via South Africa; ground satellite stations – 4 Intelsat. Broadcast stations: AM – 2, FM -34, shortwave -5 (1998). Radio receivers: 232,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 8 (and about 20 low power repeaters) (1997). TVs: 60,000 (1997). Internet country code: na Internet service providers: 2 (2000). Number of users: 9,000 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: total: 2,382 km; narrow gauge: 2,382 km (1.067 m gauge); single track (1995). Roads: total: 63,258 km; coated: 5,250 km; unpaved: 58,008 km (1997 est.) Ports and harbours: Luderitz, Walvis Bay. Merchant Marine: None (1999 est.). Airports: 131 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 21; over 3,047 m: 2; from 2438 to 3047 m: 2; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13; 914 to 1523 m: 4 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 110; from 2438 to 3047 m: 2; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21; from 914 to 1523 m:69; less than 914 m: 18 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the armed forces: national defense forces (army), police. See militarynous.com to know more about Namibia Military. Total military manpower: male 15 to 49: 427,067 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 255,016 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: $104.4 million (2001). Military spending as part of GDP: 2.6% (FY97-98)
