Country Comments

Namibia is endowed with significant renewable and non-renewable natural resources. The World Wildlife Fund reported Namibia was the first African country to incorporate protection of the environment into its constitution, and the government gave people living in communal areas the opportunity to manage their natural resources through the creation of communal conservancies. These conservancies have restored populations of lions, cheetahs, black rhinos, zebras and other native wildlife to the world’s richest dry land. (1)

Sustainable water use is a major issue in a dry country whose livestock, industrial and agriculture use compete for limited amounts.

At current consumption levels Namibia’s population could double and the country would still be sustainable. The past decade has seen average annual total fertility rates hover around 3.5 children per woman putting increasing population growth pressures on resources. The New York Times reported in January 2022 Namibia attempted to sell 170 elephants the past winter. The increase in elephants and faster growth in people was resulting in more dangerous contact with humans.

The US State Department indicates gender violence and domestic abuse is still prevalent even though the president and first lady have spoken out publicly against it and the government and media have provided national attention.(2)

(1) https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/namibia

(2) https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/namibia/