Updated
Overview
Angola has 13 times the population of Namibia: 39.04 million people against 3.09 million (2025).
Angola's economy is 8.1 times the size of Namibia's, at $122.17B versus $15.08B.
Per person, Namibia is the wealthier of the two: $4,876 against $3,129 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Angola | Namibia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $122.17B | $15.08B | 2025 | $80.40B / $13.37B |
| GDP per capita | $3,129 | Higher: $4,876 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.1% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 20.2% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | 28.2% / 4.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 14.1% | 19.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 35 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $129 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $80 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 39.04 million | 3.09 million | 2025 | 38.98 million / 2.85 million |
| Population growth | 3.0% | 2.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 16.6 yrs | 21.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.95 | 3.17 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 64.8 yrs | Higher: 67.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 71% | 51% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 41% | Higher: 65% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,246,700 km² | 825,615 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 31.3/km² | 3.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 22 Mt | Lower: 3.47 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 1.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $922.05M | $362.39M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 117,000 | 16,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Angola is growing faster: 3.1% annual GDP growth versus 1.7%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Angola at 20.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.5%.
People and society
Angola is the younger society: median age 16.6 versus 21.3 years.
Life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Namibia (67.5 vs 64.8).
Angola is considerably more urbanized: 71% of people live in cities, against 51%.
Internet adoption is higher in Namibia (65% vs 41% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Angola is 51% larger than Namibia: 1,246,700 km² versus 825,615 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Angola is far more densely settled: 31 people per km² against 4.
Military
Angola spends 2.5 times as much on defence as Namibia: $922.05M versus $362.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Namibia carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Angola fields the larger armed forces: 117,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Angola bigger than Namibia?
- Angola is larger by land area. Angola covers 1,246,700 km² while Namibia covers 825,615 km², so Angola is 51% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Angola or Namibia?
- Angola has the larger population: 39.04 million versus 3.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Angola richer than Namibia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Namibia is richer: $4,876 against $3,129. Total GDP tells a different story: $122.17B for Angola versus $15.08B for Namibia.
- Who spends more on their military, Angola or Namibia?
- Angola spends more: $922.05M versus $362.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).