Namibian unemployment according to the 2023 survey
The Namibia Statistics Agency publishes an official unemployment rate of 36.9% for 2023. The report, presented on 29 January 2025, applies the strict ILO definition adopted at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians.
Why 2018 and 2023 cannot be compared
In 2018, the published rate was 33.4%, but it was based on a broad definition of unemployment. The NSA stresses that the two figures are not directly comparable: one cannot therefore infer a simple rise of three points.
Population and available workforce
The country has 3,022,401 inhabitants, 56.1% of whom are of working age, between 15 and 59. The population is split almost evenly between towns, with 49.5%, and rural areas, with 50.5%, which scatters job opportunities.
The informal economy, a blind spot in the report
The 2023 survey does not cover informal employment. No official share is therefore available for that year. Candidates should remain wary of offers without a contract or registration, whose real extent is not measured by our sources.
A labour ministry undergoing reorganisation
One official document refers to the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. The ministry's website also appears under the name Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, suggesting a reorganisation that our sources do not formally confirm.
The Labour Market Services directorate
The ministry's website presents a Directorate of Labour Market Services, whose precise remit our sources do not detail. Ask it which public schemes exist and how to register as a jobseeker before sending out large numbers of applications.
Namibia at Work, the online public vacancy service
The NIEIS, or Namibia Integrated Employment Information System, feeds the Namibia at Work platform, which publishes job offers online. Create a complete profile there, then check the adverts regularly, as the exact content of the site could not be verified.
Work visas: the MHAISS e-services
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security manages work visas and offers electronic services for applications. Detailed conditions and processing times are not in our notes: check them directly before making any commitment.
Private sites and recruitment networks
JobnetAfrica publishes senior positions across the continent for local and expatriate candidates. Emprego.co.mz, a Mozambican site, links to a Namibian sister site. For other platforms on the continent, see our overview of job sites.
Mining and energy: researching the sector
Our notes do not quantify Namibia's employing sectors. Engineers, geologists and technicians interested in extraction will nevertheless find general advice relevant to the region in our guide to jobs in mining and energy.
Minimum wage and labour law still to be verified
The amount of any national minimum wage, the Labour Act and statutory working hours are not verified by our sources. Always ask the employer for the legal basis of your pay and have the contract reviewed if in doubt.
Angola, Botswana: compare before you go
Mobile candidates often compare several countries. Our page on the Angolan market describes a highly informal Portuguese-speaking context, while the one on neighbouring Botswana details an employment visa applied for online, before you choose a destination.
Bodies and platforms in Namibia
- Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA): National statistics agency that publishes the labour force survey and the unemployment rate.
- Ministère du Travail de Namibie: Ministry responsible for labour relations and job creation, whose official name appears to have changed.
- Directorate of Labour Market Services: Ministry directorate dedicated to labour market services, according to the official website.
- NIEIS – Namibia@Work: Public employment information system with an online job vacancy platform.
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security: Ministry that processes work visas for foreign nationals, with dedicated electronic services.
- JobnetAfrica: Platform for senior vacancies and executive search in Africa, open to expatriates.
Recommended approach to working in Namibia
- Create a complete profile on Namibia at Work and note the vacancies matching your qualifications.
- Write a clear CV in English, with precise dates and references who can be contacted.
- Contact the Labour Market Services directorate to learn about existing public schemes.
- Once you have an offer, check with the employer which work visa is required on the MHAISS e-services.
- Ask in writing for the legal basis of your salary, since no minimum amount has been verified.
- Have your contract reviewed before signing if any clause seems unclear.
Published data on Namibian employment
| Indicator | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (strict definition) | 36.9% | NSA, 2023 survey |
| Unemployment rate (broad definition) | 33.4% | NSA, 2018, not comparable |
| Total population | 3,022,401 inhabitants | NSA, 2023 survey |
| Working-age share (15 to 59) | 56.1% | NSA, 2023 survey |
| Share of informal employment | not covered | NSA, 2023 report |
| National minimum wage | not verified | No source consulted |
Documents to prepare for Namibia
- CV in English
- Certified true copies of qualifications
- Valid passport
- Job offer or employment contract
- MHAISS work visa forms
- Police clearance certificate
Errors to avoid in Namibia
- Agreeing to pay an agent who guarantees a Namibian work visa: only the official MHAISS procedures are valid.
- Starting salaried work on a mere visitor's visa, at the risk of jeopardising any future application.
- Concluding that unemployment rose between 2018 and 2023 when the two statistical definitions differ.
- Ignoring Namibia at Work and relying only on adverts shared on social media, which are often hard to authenticate.
Frequent queries about working in Namibia
What is the unemployment rate in Namibia?
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, it reached 36.9% in 2023 under the strict ILO definition. The 2018 figure of 33.4% used a broad definition and cannot be directly compared with it. The report was published on 29 January 2025.
How do you look for a public sector job in Namibia?
The NIEIS system runs the Namibia at Work platform, which publishes job offers online. The labour ministry also has a Directorate of Labour Market Services to contact about public schemes. Create a complete profile and follow new adverts regularly.
Which visa do you need to work in Namibia?
Work visas fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, which offers e-services for applications. Our sources do not specify the categories or processing times: check them with the ministry and your future employer.
Is there a minimum wage in Namibia?
Our sources do not allow us to confirm the amount or the date of a Namibian national minimum wage. Ask the employer which legal text your pay is based on and compare it with the information published by the labour ministry.
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.