A Review of Regional Patterns of Multiple Deprivation in Namibia

Abstract

Namibia, classified as an upper middle-income country with an estimated per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$5,502, remains one of the most unequal societies in the world, not only in terms of income levels but also with respect to access to basic services. While the economy has grown steadily in the recent past, with the exception of 2009, the country is still faced with the twin problems of high levels of poverty and unemployment. And as the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) draws near, there are mixed results, with good progress recorded with respect to attainment of universal primary education, gender equality and empowerment of women, reduction in infant mortality, reduction in HIV prevalence, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Maternal deaths, however, remain high, with a doubling of the numbers between 1992 and 2006. (…)