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People and the River You are here: Home>People and the River >Socio- economics >Urban & Rural > Introduction People Socio- economics Distribution of Economic Namibia

Activities Urban & Rural In the 2001 census, Namibia's population was estimated to be 1.8 million with a low Namibia density of about two people per km². While 33 % of the population were found to live Water & Sanitation in urban centres, some 67 % of the population can be considered as rural (NPC 2001, Upstream & Downstream NPC 2004). People and Environment Human Development Initiatives Explore the sub- basins of the References Kunene River

Video Interviews about the integrated and transboundary management of the Kunene River basin

Rural dwelling, Namibia. Source: iStock / Brytta 2009 ( click to enlarge ) View a historical timeline of the Namibia has experienced significant urban growth, mostly due to rural- urban Kunene basin countries, migration. The proportion of Namibians living in urban areas increased from 28 % to including water agreements & 33 % between 1991 and 2001. Drivers for this process included (Fuller 2006): infrastructure Prolonged droughts; Poor socio- economic conditions in rural areas; and Retrenchment of farm labourers.

Most of those migrating to urban areas have been people in the economically active age range (15-59) seeking better work opportunities. This means that the rural areas have higher proportions of both young (0-14 years) and old (60+ years).

The table below summarises the 2001 census for Namibia, the Kunene Region, and its , that is comprising the major part of the Kunene basin on send a general website Namibian territory. Video scenes about the limited comment access to water of the San in Census Statistics 2001 (Namibia, Kunene Region, Epupa Kunene Province report a specific Constituency) comment about this page Epupa Namibia KuneneRegion Constituency

Population 1 830 330 68 735 13 129 Growth rate (%) 2.6 1.9 -

Urban population 33 25 - (%)

Rural population (%) 67 75 -

Population density 2.1 0.6 - (inhabitants per km²)

Source: NPC website 2010; NPC 2005

The Namibian Section of the Kunene River basin: A Predominantly Rural Area

On its Namibian side, the Kunene River basin mainly falls within the Epupa Constituency (see administrative map in the Government section), the most northern constituency of the administrative unit “Kunene Region”. The Kunene Region as a whole is characterised by a very low population density (its degree of urbanisation is among the lowest in Namibia) and the capital (which is located just outside the Kunene basin) is the only urban settlement of any significance. The total population in Epupa Constituency inside the Kunene watersheds was only 13 129 people in 2001 (NPC 2005).

The population of the Kunene Region lives in scattered rural settlements. Population concentrations, as well as the location of settlements are often variable, and are subject to patterns of transhumance, under which herders move seasonally with their cattle. Although many households retain a permanent base, in the driest areas entire families relocate in search of water and grazing (ERM 2009).

Access to Social Services

The northern part of the Kunene Region, where the basin is located, continues to suffer from deficiencies in both quantity and quality of basic social services.

Education

Although the population is extremely young, educational services and standards are low, facilities limited and there is a lack of well qualified teachers. School is often seen by the adults as leading their children away from their traditional way of life, from cattle management and from their domestic responsibilities (ERM 2009). School attendance is low (in the 2001 census ca. 70% of children aged 6 to 15 years did not attend school in Epupa Constituency), and children participate in the productive activities of their households at an early age (NPC 2005).

Health

Until 1991 (the first census of independent Namibia), health services in the northern Kunene Region were extremely under- developed. Since then, there has been a quantitative and qualitative improvement in service provision, although poor road conditions limit access to primary health care. There are several clinics and at least one hospital in Opuwo. The primary health care service is weak in its outreach work. This may be ascribed to a shortage of nurses, vehicles and the inaccessibility of many parts of the region. As a consequence, communities in the Kunene basin do not have easy access to medical services and must travel considerable distances to receive treatment. Malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and measles are principle causes of death (ERM 2009).

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