Kavango West recorded the largest increase in unemployment levels, surging from 33% in 2018 to 52.8% in 2023, latest data reveals.
According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census Labour Force Report by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), sharp unemployment increases were also seen in Omusati (24% to 41.5%) and Ohangwena (33.3% to 47.2%).
NSA said decreases were only observed in the //Kharas, Hardap, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions.
The data shows that the unemployment rate stood at 36.9% with a youth unemployment rate of 44.4%.
This indicates an increase in the overall unemployment rate of 3.5% from 33.4% in 2018 to 36.9% in 2023.
The total labour force was estimated at 867,247 people, of which 320,442 were unemployed.
NSA said the number of employed individuals stood at 546,805, translating to an employment-to-population ratio of just 29.1%.
Of the total unemployed population, 38.0% were in rural areas and 36.4% were in urban areas.
The male unemployment rate was estimated at 34.6% and that of females was 39.6%.
The report further highlighted that the male and female employment-to-population ratio was 33.4% and 25.2%, respectively.
Additionally, the data revealed that over 666,944 Namibians are not interested in employment.
The employed population (2018 LFS & 2023 PHC) highlighted that there is a decrease in both male and female employment although more males compared to females were employed in both urban and rural areas.
The NSA estimated the working-age population (15 years or older) at 1,876,122 in 2023 with the youth unemployment dropping by 1.7% to 44.4% from 46.1% in 2018.
The combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (CRUPLF) refers to the proportion of the working-age population that is either unemployed or underutilised, including those who are not actively seeking employment but are available and willing to work.
The overall CRUPLF was estimated at 54.8%, with the rate for youth reaching 61.4%. It was higher for females at 59.6% and 50.6% for males
The 2023 PHC LF report is limited to employment and unemployment statistics. It excludes job types, working conditions, and Informal employment that a Labour Force Survey (LFS) would produce.
The 2023 Labour Statistics were compiled using the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) framework, adopted in 2013 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The approach was aimed at modernising Namibia’s labour data collection, aligning it with international best practices.
It replaces the outdated 13th ICLS of 1982 and will serve as a benchmark for future Labour Force Surveys (LFS).
