Government “flying blind” on unemployment, warns labour expert

Windhoek, Namibia – Prominent labour expert Herbert Jauch has sounded the alarm, warning that Namibia is “flying blind” in its fight against unemployment due to a lack of updated job statistics. Speaking to Future Media, Jauch highlighted that the country has not produced regular labour force data since 2018, making it nearly impossible to evaluate the impact of job creation programs or gauge the effectiveness of government policies.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), Namibia’s official unemployment rate climbed from 33.4% in 2018 to 36.9% in 2023, excluding discouraged workers. When these are included, the broader unemployment rate jumps to 54.8%. Jauch cautioned that ongoing changes in methodology hamper the comparability of new data with past statistics, complicating policy evaluation.

He emphasised that without consistent, reliable data, the government lacks a clear view of which sectors are performing and where job loss or growth occurs—a serious impediment to strategic interventions. Jauch also criticised the government’s passive approach that relies on hoped-for large-scale investments instead of actively fostering sectors like housing and renewable energy, where sustainable jobs could be created.

In addition to Southern African-wide skill deficiencies, 75% of employed Namibians earn less than N$1,500 per month, far below the cost of living and contributing to persistent poverty. Jauch urged a shift away from extractive economic models, advocating policies that incentivize local value chains and industries with higher employment potential.

Why reliable data matters

The irregularity in labour data since 2018 means there’s no clear benchmark to measure progress. NSA’s new methodology excludes discouraged job seekers, skewing trend comparisons. Without empirical insight, Joh government initiatives remain generic rather than targeted. While official figures hover around 37%, broader measures suggest up to 55% unemployment—a crisis far bigger than perceived.

Jauch’s recommendations

• Reinstate regular labour force surveys to establish clear baselines and trends.
• Standardise definitions and methods to ensure comparability over time.
•  like housing and renewable energy with developmental policies, not just investment appeals.
• Address wage poverty, with 75% of workers earning too little to meet basic needs.

What’s next?

Jauch warns that unless Namibia equips itself with accurate data and reshapes its economic strategies, unemployment will continue to erode livelihoods and deepen inequality. As the NSA refines its statistics and policymakers develop a stronger, evidence-based framework, the country may finally gain the clarity needed to reverse its job crisis.