Urban area over the long-term in Namibia
Namibia: Urban area over the long-term was 563.77 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Urban area over the long-term in Namibia, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Namibia stood at 563.77 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 2.9% on the previous year and up 37.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Namibia peaked at 563.77 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0006 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Namibia ranks 119th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Namibia, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.002 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1200 | 0.0064 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1300 | 0.0205 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1400 | 0.066 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1500 | 0.2127 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1600 | 0.6854 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1700 | 2.21 km² per grid cell | +222.2% |
| 1710 | 2.45 km² per grid cell | +10.8% |
| 1720 | 2.64 km² per grid cell | +7.7% |
| 1730 | 2.84 km² per grid cell | +7.7% |
| 1740 | 3.06 km² per grid cell | +7.7% |
| 1750 | 3.29 km² per grid cell | +7.6% |
| 1760 | 3.54 km² per grid cell | +7.6% |
| 1770 | 3.81 km² per grid cell | +7.6% |
| 1780 | 4.09 km² per grid cell | +7.5% |
| 1790 | 4.4 km² per grid cell | +7.5% |
| 1800 | 4.73 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1810 | 5.08 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1820 | 5.45 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1830 | 5.85 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1840 | 6.28 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1850 | 6.73 km² per grid cell | +7.2% |
| 1860 | 8.15 km² per grid cell | +21.1% |
| 1870 | 9.87 km² per grid cell | +21.1% |
| 1880 | 11.95 km² per grid cell | +21.1% |
| 1890 | 14.45 km² per grid cell | +20.9% |
| 1900 | 17.35 km² per grid cell | +20.1% |
| 1910 | 21.65 km² per grid cell | +24.8% |
| 1920 | 25.16 km² per grid cell | +16.2% |
| 1930 | 27.84 km² per grid cell | +10.6% |
| 1940 | 27.94 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1950 | 28.58 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1951 | 29.23 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1952 | 29.95 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1953 | 30.73 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1954 | 31.58 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1955 | 32.5 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1956 | 33.49 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1957 | 34.56 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1958 | 35.72 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1959 | 36.98 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1960 | 38.35 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1961 | 39.65 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1962 | 41.03 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1963 | 42.53 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1964 | 44.15 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1965 | 45.92 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1966 | 47.82 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1967 | 49.88 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1968 | 52.14 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1969 | 54.62 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1970 | 57.3 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1971 | 59.68 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1972 | 62.36 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1973 | 65.21 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1974 | 68.05 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1975 | 70.76 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1976 | 73.6 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1977 | 76.36 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1978 | 79.09 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1979 | 81.9 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 84.88 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1981 | 87.48 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1982 | 90.13 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1983 | 93.29 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1984 | 97.49 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1985 | 103.09 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 1986 | 108.05 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1987 | 114.45 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1988 | 121.8 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1989 | 129.31 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1990 | 136.38 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1991 | 143.28 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1992 | 150.43 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1993 | 157.68 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1994 | 165.17 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1995 | 173.25 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1996 | 181.88 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1997 | 191.05 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1998 | 200.47 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1999 | 209.65 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2000 | 218.26 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2001 | 228.54 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 2002 | 238.42 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2003 | 248.06 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2004 | 257.73 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2005 | 267.68 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2006 | 277.94 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 288.54 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 299.71 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 311.76 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2010 | 341.39 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 2011 | 354.64 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 368.2 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 382.07 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 396.25 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 410.73 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 425.51 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2017 | 440.59 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 455.97 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2019 | 471.63 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 487.59 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 502.39 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 517.41 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 532.65 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 548.1 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2025 | 563.77 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 563.77 km² per grid cell is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 67% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 563.77 km² per grid cell is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 733.88 km² per grid cell, 77% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Namibia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +222.2% | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.002 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +222.2% | 0.002 km² per grid cell | 0.0064 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +222.2% | 0.0064 km² per grid cell | 0.0205 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +222.2% | 0.0205 km² per grid cell | 0.066 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +222.2% | 0.066 km² per grid cell | 0.2127 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +222.2% | 0.2127 km² per grid cell | 0.6854 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.002 km² per grid cell | 0.002 km² per grid cell | 0.002 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0064 km² per grid cell | 0.0064 km² per grid cell | 0.0064 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0205 km² per grid cell | 0.0205 km² per grid cell | 0.0205 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.066 km² per grid cell | 0.066 km² per grid cell | 0.066 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.2127 km² per grid cell | 0.2127 km² per grid cell | 0.2127 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.6854 km² per grid cell | 0.6854 km² per grid cell | 0.6854 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 2.21 km² per grid cell | 2.21 km² per grid cell | 2.21 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 2.45 km² per grid cell | 2.45 km² per grid cell | 2.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 2.64 km² per grid cell | 2.64 km² per grid cell | 2.64 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 2.84 km² per grid cell | 2.84 km² per grid cell | 2.84 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 3.06 km² per grid cell | 3.06 km² per grid cell | 3.06 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 3.29 km² per grid cell | 3.29 km² per grid cell | 3.29 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 3.54 km² per grid cell | 3.54 km² per grid cell | 3.54 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 3.81 km² per grid cell | 3.81 km² per grid cell | 3.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 4.09 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 4.4 km² per grid cell | 4.4 km² per grid cell | 4.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 4.73 km² per grid cell | 4.73 km² per grid cell | 4.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 5.08 km² per grid cell | 5.08 km² per grid cell | 5.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 5.45 km² per grid cell | 5.45 km² per grid cell | 5.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 5.85 km² per grid cell | 5.85 km² per grid cell | 5.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 6.28 km² per grid cell | 6.28 km² per grid cell | 6.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 6.73 km² per grid cell | 6.73 km² per grid cell | 6.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 8.15 km² per grid cell | 8.15 km² per grid cell | 8.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 9.87 km² per grid cell | 9.87 km² per grid cell | 9.87 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 11.95 km² per grid cell | 11.95 km² per grid cell | 11.95 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 14.45 km² per grid cell | 14.45 km² per grid cell | 14.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 17.35 km² per grid cell | 17.35 km² per grid cell | 17.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 21.65 km² per grid cell | 21.65 km² per grid cell | 21.65 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 25.16 km² per grid cell | 25.16 km² per grid cell | 25.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 27.84 km² per grid cell | 27.84 km² per grid cell | 27.84 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 27.94 km² per grid cell | 27.94 km² per grid cell | 27.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 32.33 km² per grid cell | 28.58 km² per grid cell | 36.98 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 45.61 km² per grid cell | 38.35 km² per grid cell | 54.62 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 69.43 km² per grid cell | 57.3 km² per grid cell | 81.9 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 103 km² per grid cell | 84.88 km² per grid cell | 129.31 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 170.92 km² per grid cell | 136.38 km² per grid cell | 209.65 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 263.67 km² per grid cell | 218.26 km² per grid cell | 311.76 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 404.7 km² per grid cell | 341.39 km² per grid cell | 471.63 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 525.32 km² per grid cell | 487.59 km² per grid cell | 563.77 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More reference data data for Namibia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0579 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.52 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0157 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.194 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.1306 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 6.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.82 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0853 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Namibia?
- Urban area over the long-term in Namibia was 563.77 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 563.77 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0006 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Namibia rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Namibia ranks 119th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Namibia data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.