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In the World Economic Forum's 2025 Global Risks Report, respondents were asked to identify which five risks are most likely to pose the biggest threats to their country in the next two years, choosing from a list of economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological issues and ranking them from one (most impactful) to five (least impactful).
Focusing on Namibia and her neighbours, the risks they face are quite similar. Poverty and inequality - ranked first in Namibia (this survey was conducted before the release of Namibia’s poor labour force data) - is present in all countries except Zimbabwe. Food, water, and energy supply shortages are also widely cited, occupying the top three slots in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Water shortage concerns, ranked third in Namibia, are not new to the country, and after severe drought concerns in 2024, crop farming experienced its second-worst year in recent history, surpassed only by 2019.
No risks from the geopolitical or technological categories appeared among Namibia and her neighbours, as more practical issues are of concern. Unemployment ranks second in Namibia, and following the release of the 2023 labour force data, broad unemployment now stands at a staggering 54.8%. A lack of skilled labour is also identified as a critical issue holding Namibia back, and although Namibia is among the highest spenders on education relative to GDP worldwide, outcomes remain weak. The majority of this expenditure goes towards personnel costs, peaking at 94% of total expenditure in FY 2017/18.
Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 has improved compared to the general sentiment over the past decade - though significant challenges remain.
Focusing on Namibia and her neighbours, the risks they face are quite similar. Poverty and inequality - ranked first in Namibia (this survey was conducted before the release of Namibia’s poor labour force data) - is present in all countries except Zimbabwe. Food, water, and energy supply shortages are also widely cited, occupying the top three slots in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Water shortage concerns, ranked third in Namibia, are not new to the country, and after severe drought concerns in 2024, crop farming experienced its second-worst year in recent history, surpassed only by 2019.
No risks from the geopolitical or technological categories appeared among Namibia and her neighbours, as more practical issues are of concern. Unemployment ranks second in Namibia, and following the release of the 2023 labour force data, broad unemployment now stands at a staggering 54.8%. A lack of skilled labour is also identified as a critical issue holding Namibia back, and although Namibia is among the highest spenders on education relative to GDP worldwide, outcomes remain weak. The majority of this expenditure goes towards personnel costs, peaking at 94% of total expenditure in FY 2017/18.
Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 has improved compared to the general sentiment over the past decade - though significant challenges remain.
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Namibian Sun
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