Namibia’s marginalised communities comprise 75,569 people, representing 2.5% of the country’s population, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s (NSA) 2023 Population and Housing Census profile.
The report, presented by Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni, provides the first comprehensive digital census profile of the San, Ovature/Ovatwa and Ovatjimba communities and is intended to support evidence-based policymaking and development planning.
The census found that 75.9% of the marginalised population is under the age of 35, highlighting a predominantly youthful demographic with growing needs in education, employment and social services.
Otjozondjupa has the largest marginalised population at 23,864 people, while the //Kharas Region has the smallest at 159. The San population is concentrated mainly in Otjozondjupa, Omaheke and Kunene, while the Ovature/Ovatwa and Ovatjimba communities are predominantly found in Kunene.
“Total marginalised population groups comprise 75,569 persons, which is about 2.5% of Namibia’s total population. The largest population of marginalised communities is found in the Otjozondjupa Region, while the region with the least population is //Kharas,” Shimuafeni said.
The report also highlights low labour force participation among marginalised communities, with the participation rate standing at 44.7% for males and 30.0% for females.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing remain the largest employers, accounting for 41.9% of employed people from marginalised communities, while 35.5% are employed in elementary occupations, reflecting limited access to higher-skilled jobs.
“The labour force participation rate for males stands at 44.7%, while for females it is 30.0%. Across all age groups, males have a higher participation rate than females. The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry is the largest employment sector for the marginalised population, accounting for 41.9% of employment,” Shimuafeni said.
Households headed by members of marginalised communities rely primarily on salaries and wages, which account for 42.4% of household income, followed by old age pensions at 15.6%. State Maintenance Grants and Old Age Pensions are the most widely accessed forms of social assistance.
The census further found that 38.1% of children aged between zero and four years do not have birth certificates, with the highest proportions recorded in Kavango West (60.7%), Omusati (50.6%) and Ohangwena (49.0%).
Educational attainment remains low. Half of the marginalised population aged 15 years and older have completed only primary education, while 7.5% have completed secondary education and just 1.6% have attained tertiary qualifications.
Housing conditions also remain challenging. Of the 21,379 households headed by members of marginalised communities, only 26.5% own the dwellings they occupy, while 46.4% live in informal structures or shacks.
The report found that 68.4% of these households have no toilet facilities, while 61.6% of urban households lack access to a flush toilet. However, 88.4% have access to safe drinking water.
Electricity is the main source of lighting for 32.4% of households, while 10.3% rely on solar energy.
