What does it truly mean to be miserable? The dictionary offers a rather stark definition: “causing extreme discomfort or unhappiness, for example in a miserable situation.” It was with a certain degree of national pride, and perhaps a touch of indignation, that I stumbled upon a report ranking Namibia as the 34th most miserable country in the world. (Down since 2013 when we were 7th in the world.) This rather unflattering assessment is rooted in the misery index, a somewhat crude economic gauge devised by Arthur Okun. It essentially aggregates a country’s unemployment and inflation rates to provide a snapshot of prevailing economic conditions – the higher the number, the more miserable the populace. The rationale is straightforward: most citizens keenly feel the pinch of high joblessness and the relentless surge in prices.
Our current Misery Index score, based on the latest available figures, stands at approximately 40.4%. This is derived from our Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) of 3.5% as of May 2025, and a rather concerning unemployment rate of 36.9% in 2023. The report further highlights Namibia’s heavy reliance on its mineral wealth, with significant exports of diamonds, uranium, and gold. However, the mining sector, despite its economic contribution, only accounts for a mere 3% of the nation’s labour force. Given the limited diversification of our economy, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a substantial portion of Namibia’s workforce remains without employment. Furthermore, income inequality remains a glaring issue. Despite a respectable GDP per capita, Namibia continues to grapple with one of the highest GINI coefficients globally, last recorded at 59.1% in 2015.
My initial reaction to this article was, I must confess, one of immediate dismissal. “How dare these Westerners label us as miserable?” I thought, instinctively preparing a barrage of arguments about statistical flaws and cultural nuances. However, after a moment of reflection, I decided to delve deeper into the author’s perspective. And, regrettably, the core assertions hold true. Our consumer prices are indeed rising at a pace that outstrips salary increases, and our unemployment figures are, frankly, alarming. For those of us fortunate enough to be employed, this translates into a diminishing purchasing power year on year, often coupled with the added burden of supporting extended family members who are struggling to find work. A truly miserable situation, wouldn’t you agree?
This ought to serve as a stark wake-up call for Namibia. When our nation slides down the rankings in competitiveness or business confidence, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and various business leaders are quick to lament the increasing difficulty of turning a profit, often urging the government to exercise greater caution. Yet, when the Misery Index comes into focus, the discussion often veers away from the underlying issues contributing to our ranking, instead devolving into debates about the index’s methodology.
This index, for all its simplicity, effectively shines a spotlight on the root causes of our misery: persistent employment challenges (too few jobs, and those that exist often pay too little) and the relentless upward trajectory of consumer prices.
It’s crucial to reiterate: I wrote ‘Namibians are Miserable’ – not ‘Namibia is a miserable place to stay.’
Incidentally, the Gini coefficient, for those unfamiliar, is a measure of income inequality, ranging from 0 (perfect equality, where everyone earns the same) to 1 (perfect inequality, where one person possesses all the income) to 1 (perfect inequality, where one person possesses all the income). Namibia, regrettably, has historically topped this list, with a GINI coefficient of 59.1%. This stark reality of income disparity is a fact we simply cannot afford to ignore.
