Tsumeb town in the Oshikoto Region is among the top 10 towns in the country with the highest urban populations, according to the 2023 Namibia Population and Housing Census.
The town, which ranked last on the list of 10, had a population of 34,960 residents in 2023.
The other towns and cities on the list are Windhoek in the top spot, Rundu, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Katima Mulilo, Okahandja and Rehoboth.
The statistics were provided by Julius Namholo, Manager of Administration and Logistics at the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), during the dissemination of the Oshikoto regional profile on Monday in Omuthiya.
“More people live in urban areas than rural areas; they move and keep relocating to urban areas due to certain factors such as employment. Tsumeb was the most populous town in Oshikoto, and the population grew by 62.9% between 2011 and 2023,” he said.
According to Namholo, the overall population in the Oshikoto Region has increased by 5.4% between 2011 and 2023, which puts pressure on housing, water, sanitation, electricity, transport, and employment in the town.
He said there is a risk of informal settlements expanding without adequate planning.
“From the statistics of Oshikoto, 81.6% of the population reside in rural areas, with the Omuthiyagwiipundi Constituency having the highest population of 39,855, while the Guinas Constituency had the smallest population of 8,845,” he reported.
Over 80% of the region’s residents can read and write with understanding. However, those who have never attended school stand at 9.9%. Eengodi, Guinas and Nehale lyaMpinga have the lowest school attendance under the age of six.
Overall, school enrolment in the region is over 75%. The rates were high for the ages of seven to 15 years, with over 90% for both genders.
A total of 67,104 persons within the working-age group in the region indicated that they were not interested in employment due to various reasons. Within this group, the majority, 42.1%, were occupied with taking care of their homes or families, followed by 30.5% who were studying.
“Unemployment among the labour force is 38.4%. Young people and women are disproportionately affected. Structural reforms are needed to align education with job market needs,” Namholo said.