Old-Age Pension Emerges as Namibia’s Second-Largest Household Income Source
By TUW
The state old-age pension has become Namibia’s second-largest primary source of household income, highlighting the growing importance of government social protection programmes in supporting the livelihoods of thousands of citizens across the country.
The findings were revealed by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) during the presentation of the 2025 Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey, where Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni outlined the country’s latest financial inclusion trends.
According to the survey, 14.6% of Namibians depend on the state old-age pension as their main source of income, making it the country’s second-most significant household income source after private sector employment.
The report further found that 20.9% of the Namibian population relies on government social grants as their primary means of financial support. The figures underscore the crucial role social welfare programmes continue to play in helping vulnerable households meet their daily needs.
The NSA said the survey provides an important snapshot of Namibia’s financial inclusion landscape and demonstrates the continued reliance of many households on government assistance for economic stability.
The latest findings also highlight the significance of social safety nets in reducing financial hardship, particularly among pensioners and other vulnerable groups who depend on state support as their principal source of income.
