Namibia ranks tenth among Africa’s most productive economies, with a labour productivity rate of N$274 ($15.6) per hour, latest data shows.
According to the International Labour Organisation’s Statistics on Labour Productivity, Namibia’s productivity is primarily supported by its mining sector, with diamonds and uranium playing a crucial role in economic output.
Additionally, agriculture and a steadily growing tourism industry contribute significantly to the country’s economic stability.
“Labour productivity is an important economic indicator that is closely linked to economic growth, competitiveness and living standards within an economy,” the report read.
The report highlighted that Libya leads the continent in labour productivity with N$545 ($29.8) GDP per hour worked, driven by its vast oil reserves. However, political instability has hampered long-term economic diversification.
Algeria follows closely at N$516 ($28.2) per hour, with its hydrocarbon sector fuelling strong economic performance, while Egypt secures third place with N$496 ($27.1) per hour, benefiting from a diverse economy spanning tourism, Suez Canal revenues, and industrial activities.
“The indicator allows data users to assess GDP-to-labour input levels and growth rates over time, thus providing general information about the efficiency and quality of human capital in the production process for a given economic and social context, including other complementary inputs and innovations used in production,” the report read.
Other high-ranking nations include Djibouti N$487 ($26.6 per hour), Eswatini N$457 ($25.0 per hour), and Botswana N$436 ($23.8 per hour), each leveraging unique economic advantages such as trade, manufacturing, and mineral wealth to sustain growth.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised nation, ranks seventh with N$395 ($21.6 per hour), followed by Tunisia’s N$351 ($19.2 per hour) and Equatorial Guinea’s N$346 ($18.9 per hour), both benefiting from well-developed industries and natural resource exports.
Labour productivity, as defined by the International Labour Organisation, measures the total volume of output expressed in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) produced per unit of labour.
