Hardap Region - Demographics

Demographics

According to the Namibia 2001 Population and Housing Census, Hardap had a population of 68,249 (33,665 females and 34,579 males or 103 males for every 100 females) growing at an annual rate of 0.3%. The fertility rate was 3.6 children per woman. 46% lived in urban areas while 54% lived in rural areas, and with an area of 109,651km2, the population density was 0.6 persons per km2. By age, 13% of the population was under 5 years old, 23% between 5-14 years, 55% between 15-59 years, and 8% 60 years and older. The population was divided into 15,039 households, with an average size of 4.4 persons. 34% of households had a female head of house, while 66% had a male. For those 15 years and older, 54% had never married, 30% married with certificate, 1% married traditionally, 9% married concensually, 2% were divorced or separated, and 4% were widowed.

The most commonly spoken languages at home were Afrikaans (44% of households), and Nama/Damara (44%). For those 15 years and older, the literacy rate was 83%. In terms of education, 84% of girls and 83% of boys between the ages of 6-15 were attending school, and of those older than 15, 73% had left school, 9% were currently at school, and 13% had never attended.

The employment rate for the labor force (64% of those 15+) was 66% employed and 34% unemployed. For those 15+ years old and not in the labor force (29%), 29% were students, 37% homeakers, and 33% retired, too old, etc.

Among households, 95% had safe water, 34% no toilet facility, 51% electricity for lighting, 77% access to radio, and 20% had wood or charcoal for cooking. In terms of household's main sources of income, 9% derived it from farming, 61% from wages and salaries, 7% cash remittances, 5% from business or non-farming, and 15% from pension.

For every 1000 live births there were 62 female infant deaths and 64 male. The life expectancy at birth was 53 years for females and 51 for males. Among children younger than 15, 4% had lost a mother, 6% a father, and 1% were orphaned by both parents. 6% of the entire population had a disability, of which 19% were deaf, 47% blind, 7% had a speech disability, 10% hand disability, 28% leg disability, and 6% mental disability.