Kavango East population soars 43% in 12 years

Kavango East’s population has surged by 43% in just over a decade, placing new demands on jobs, housing and services. This is according to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s (NSA) 2023 Population and Housing Census results for the region, shared during a presentation this week. The census shows that towns are expanding rapidly, with urban residents increasing by 67.4% since 2011. For the first time, half of the region’s population now lives in urban areas, a significant shift for an area long associated with rural settlements and traditional lifestyles. While the rural population also grew by 24.8% over the same period, the momentum is clearly with urban centres such as Rundu, which has absorbed the bulk of internal migration.Observers note that this rapid urbanisation reflects both opportunity and strain. Families move to towns in search of jobs, schools and better services, but local authorities struggle to keep pace with the demand for housing, water, sanitation and electricity. Informal settlements are expanding, and the competition for limited services is intensifying.Demographic dividend The census further underscores the youthful nature of Kavango East’s population. The region is dominated by children and young people, creating what demographers describe as both an asset and a challenge. A young population carries potential for economic growth – often called the “demographic dividend” – but only if jobs and opportunities are available.Without adequate investment in education, skills training and employment creation, the large youth base also risks becoming a liability. Pressure is already mounting on schools, health facilities and social services. Policymakers are increasingly confronted with the question: will Kavango East’s youth drive development, or will they remain trapped in cycles of unemployment and poverty?Labour force paradoxDespite the rise in working-age residents, the region faces limited job opportunities. The census data and accompanying labour thematic report point to high unemployment and a large informal sector. Many young people turn to informal trading or casual labour, but these activities offer little stability or long-term security.The mismatch between the growing labour force and the availability of decent work is pushing more people, especially youth, to migrate to Rundu or even further afield in search of opportunities. This trend has implications not only for families left behind in rural areas but also for the already strained urban environment, where the influx of job seekers intensifies competition for scarce opportunities.phillipus@nmh-hub.com

Kavango East population soars 43% in 12 years

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Kavango East population soars 43% in 12 years

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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