A recent Afrobarometer 2025 survey has revealed that Namibia’s young population is among the least entrepreneurial in Africa, with only 19% of youth aged 18 to 35 saying they would prefer to start their own business if given the opportunity.
The study, which surveyed 38 African countries, paints a worrying picture for Namibia’s job creation and private-sector growth. Despite youth making up the majority of the country’s population, over 2.1 million of Namibia’s three million people, according to the 2023 Housing and Population Census, many young Namibians still see the government as the safest and most desirable employer.
According to the findings, 44% of young respondents said they would rather work for the government, while 18% prefer private-sector jobs. Only a small share, 19% showed interest in entrepreneurship.
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) estimates that over 321 000 people were unemployed in 2023, with youth unemployment remaining particularly high. Despite government efforts to support youth-led businesses through initiatives such as the National Youth Development Fund, thousands of applicants still await funding.
Namibia’s poor global competitiveness also plays a role. The country ranked 68th out of 69 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, while the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index lists Namibia among the most difficult places to start a business in Africa.
Experts suggest that addressing youth unemployment will require a stronger focus on entrepreneurship education, access to finance, and policy reforms that make it easier to start and sustain small businesses.
SMEs already make up around 30% of Namibia’s 230 000 registered businesses, but with the right support, that number could grow significantly. Encouraging innovation and creating a friendlier environment for startups could also help shift young people’s perception that only government jobs offer stability.
The Afrobarometer report concludes that Namibia must create a new narrative for its youth — one that values creativity, self-employment, and entrepreneurship as the engines of growth and lasting job creation.
