Population growth rate confirmed down by almost half

The country’s population growth rate has depreciated from 2.6 % during the first decade of Independence to 1.4 % from 2001 to 2011. This is according to statistics listed in the 2011 Namibia Population and Housing Census Basic Report launched by President Hifikepunye Pohamba on Wednesday.
The report futher revealed that Namibia’s population in 1991 stood at 1.4 million and grew to 1.8 million in 2001. The population now stands at just over 2.1 million as indicated by the 2011 census conducted from 26 August to 15 September 2011. This is an increase of only 282,747 people between 2001 and 2011.
The region with the highest population density is Khomas with over 342,141 heads counted during the 2011 census period while Omaheke is the least populated region with only 71,233.
The regional growth rate indicates that both the Erongo and Khomas regions’ populations have rapidly increased.
In the last decade, Erongo reported a population of 107,663 in 2001 that jumped to 150,809 in 2011. Khomas had a population of 250,262 in 2001 escalating to 342,141 by 2011.
According to Dr. John Steytler, Statistician General of Namibia Statistics Agency, the increase in the two regions was mainly brought on by mining and fishing sectors in Erongo and the industrialisation in the Khomas Region.

Steytler added that the first poverty rate was measured in 1993/94 and stood at 70%. In 2003/04 the poverty rate decreased to 38% and in 2009/2010 it was measured to be 29%. “This is a reduction of 49% since 1993 which translates to 360,053 people lifted from poverty,” he said. The Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey indicated that the Ohangwena Region recorded the highest poverty rate at 89% in 2003/04 and dropped to 30% in 2009/10 followed by the Erongo Region which had 44% and reduced to 7%. The poverty rate in Khomas was 27% in 2003/04 and decreased toonly 11% in 2009/10.
In terms of gender, women still make up more than half of the population with 52% compared to 48% for men. The total population counted consists of 97% Namibians and 3 % non-Namibians, with Angolan citizens making up 29% of African citizens living in the country at the time of the census followed by Zambians with 11%.
The report further revealed that urbanisation has increased between 2001 and 2011 with more than  43% of the population currently living in urban areas compared to 33% in 2001. The literacy rate now stands at 89% while enrollment for primary school stands at 87%. According to President  Pohamba, this is a good sign as it proves that the country was making progress in achieving its national goals.
The Basic Report of the 2011 Namibia Population and Housing Census is the second of a series of reports to be released on the 2011 census with the provisional report having been released in April last year. The results of the main report are an outcome of analyses and tabulations undertaken after the successful completion of data processing. More detailed and targeted analyses of the census data will be undertaken in the next eight months and the Namibia Statistics Agency will also produce the Census Atlas which will provide information on the spatial distribution of people at all administrative levels.