Namibia · Africa
How many people die in Namibia every day?
In Namibia, about 49 people die every day, roughly one death every 29 minutes. That is about 18,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 141st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 59.3 years and the leading cause of death is hiv/aids. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
49
Deaths per year
18,000
Life expectancy
59.3 years
Population
2,604,172
Death rate
6.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
HIV/AIDS
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Namibia
59.3
World avg
72.8
-13.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Namibia
6.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Namibia by time period
| Per hour | 2.1 |
| Per day | 49 |
| Per week | 345 |
| Per month | 1,500 |
| Per year | 18,000 |
What people die of in Namibia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Namibia in 2023 was HIV/AIDS, which accounted for 16% of all deaths, about 9.1 a day. It was followed by tuberculosis and pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections.
Deaths from tuberculosis have risen by 95% since 2000, from about 844 to 1,645 a year. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 61% since 2000, from about 8,445 to 3,311 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HIV/AIDS | 3,311 | 9.1 | 16% | -61% |
| 2 | Tuberculosis | 1,645 | 4.5 | 8% | +95% |
| 3 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 1,607 | 4.4 | 7.8% | +36% |
| 4 | Stroke | 1,227 | 3.4 | 5.9% | +11% |
| 5 | Diabetes | 991 | 2.7 | 4.8% | +83% |
| 6 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 984 | 2.7 | 4.8% | +37% |
| 7 | Preterm birth complications | 752 | 2.1 | 3.6% | +39% |
| 8 | COPD | 589 | 1.6 | 2.8% | +38% |
| 9 | Road injuries | 524 | 1.4 | 2.5% | +31% |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 518 | 1.4 | 2.5% | +52% |
Deaths in Namibia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 20,684 people died in Namibia in 2023, 0% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 20,713 deaths |
| 2010 | 18,220 deaths |
| 2019 | 20,489 deaths |
| 2023 | 20,684 deaths |
Life expectancy in Namibia since 1950
A baby born in Namibia in 1950 could expect to live about 41.9 years. By 2023 that had risen to 67.4, a gain of 25.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 41.9 years |
| 1980 | 56.6 years |
| 2000 | 52.9 years |
| 2010 | 56.1 years |
| 2019 | 63.5 years |
| 2023 | 67.4 years |
Namibia compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Namibia ranks 38th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 49 | 59.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Botswana | 38 | 61.1 | HIV/AIDS |
| Gambia | 52 | 62.6 | Malaria |
| Gabon | 41 | 66.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lesotho | 66 | 50.7 | HIV/AIDS |
| Guinea-Bissau | 52 | 59.4 | Malaria |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Namibia every day?
In Namibia, about 49 people die every day, or roughly one death every 29 minutes. That adds up to about 18,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Namibia?
HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death in Namibia. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put HIV/AIDS first in 2023, with 16% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Namibia?
Life expectancy at birth in Namibia is 59.3 years, 13.5 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 182nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Namibia high?
Namibia records about 6.9 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.