Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Namibia

Namibia: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 48.3% in 2013. ▲ Rising

Latest (2013)
48.3%
World rank
33rd
of 72 countries
All-time high
48.3%
in 2013
All-time low
16.6%
in 2000
Years of data
5
1992–2013

Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Namibia, 1992–2013

203040501992200220131992: 17.1 % of children under 6 months2000: 16.6 % of children under 6 months2006: 23.9 % of children under 6 months2007: 22.1 % of children under 6 months2013: 48.3 % of children under 6 months

Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.

Analysis

In 2013, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Namibia stood at 48.3%. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

The figure is up 191.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Namibia peaked at 48.3% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 16.6%, in 2000.

That places Namibia 33rd out of 72 countries with data for 2013, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 17.1% 17.1% 17.1% 1
2000s 20.9% 16.6% 23.9% 3
2010s 48.3% 48.3% 48.3% 1

Countries ranked near Namibia

  1. 30 Indonesia 50.7% compare
  2. 31 Madagascar 50.6% compare
  3. 32 Uzbekistan 49.5% compare
  4. 34 Pakistan 47.8% compare
  5. 35 El Salvador 46.7% compare
  6. 36 Kyrgyzstan 45.6% compare

See the full ranking of 72 places →

More reference data data for Namibia

All data for Namibia →

Frequently asked questions

What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in Namibia?
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Namibia was 48.3% in 2013, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Namibia?
The highest recorded value was 48.3% in 2013.
What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Namibia?
The lowest recorded value was 16.6% in 2000.
How does Namibia rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?
Namibia ranks 33rd out of 72 countries with data for 2013.
Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in Namibia?
Over the last ten years it is up 191.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Namibia data come from?
The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

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About this data

Indicator
Exclusive breastfeeding rate
Unit
% of children under 6 months
Source
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
72 places, 509 data points, 1986–2020
Last refreshed

The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.