What Languages Do They Speak In Namibia?

Explore the languages spoken in Namibia on an interactive map.

Namibia Languages: Quick FactsNamibia flag

Languages

4

English, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, German

Population

2,530,000

Cost of living

~ $1075

Index: 21.5

Safety / crime index

Low

Crime Index: 64.6

Language Spoken in Namibia Percentage

LanguagePercentagePopulation
Afrikaans
9.4%237,820
EnglishOfficial
2.3%58,190

Do They Speak English in Namibia?

English proficiency

Native

English is treated as native-level in this dataset.

In short

English is widely usable across Namibia. In major cities, business settings, and most day-to-day situations, you can usually rely on English comfortably.

FAQ

Namibia Language FAQ

Short answers to common questions about the main languages, English usage, and communication in Namibia.

  • People in Namibia speak English, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, German.

    Afrikaans is the most widely spoken language.

  • Afrikaans is spoken by about 9.4% of the population in Namibia.

    That corresponds to roughly 237,820 people.

  • Yes. English works across most of Namibia for everyday life, work, and travel.

What languages do they speak in Namibia?

People in Namibia speak English, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, German.

Afrikaans is the most widely spoken language.

How widely spoken is Afrikaans in Namibia?

Afrikaans is spoken by about 9.4% of the population in Namibia.

That corresponds to roughly 237,820 people.

Can you get by with English in Namibia?

Yes. English works across most of Namibia for everyday life, work, and travel.

Looking For A Bilingual Job?

Sign up to get notified on the best bilingual jobs based on your language skills:

English

Click the button to add 2nd language