- 1 in 5 Namibian girls aged 15–19 has begun childbearing
- Teenage pregnancy drives 12% of female school dropouts
- Observer warns Namibia risks losing its youth dividend
Patience Makwele
Namibia’s ambition to harness its youthful population as a driver of economic and social development continues to face a major challenge as teenage pregnancy continues to disrupt education, limit future opportunities and deepen cycles of poverty among young people.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Namibia on Thursday revealed estimates that 19% of women aged 15–19 have already begun childbearing, with some regions recording significantly higher levels, highlighting persistent inequalities affecting adolescent girls.
Speaking at the national commemoration of World Population Day 2026 in Windhoek, stakeholders warned that addressing teenage pregnancy requires coordinated action involving government, families, schools, communities and development partners.
Khomas Governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma said Namibia’s youthful population remains the country’s greatest asset but warned that this potential can only be realised if barriers affecting young people are deliberately addressed.
“Namibia is a young country, the majority of our people are under the age of 35 and that youthfulness is our single greatest national asset,” Nujoma said.
He said a youthful population only becomes a demographic dividend when investments are made in young people and challenges preventing them from reaching their potential are confronted.
Among the challenges affecting young Namibians, Nujoma identified unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, school dropouts and teenage pregnancy.
“Among these hurdles are teenage pregnancy, which remains one of the most urgent development challenges we face,” he said.
Nujoma warned that pregnancy during schooling often changes the life trajectory of young girls.
“When a girl falls pregnant while still in school, her education is disrupted and too often abandoned altogether. Her employment prospects narrow and the cycle of poverty is carried into the next generation,” he said.
The concerns were echoed by UNFPA Namibia representative Erika Goldson, who said young people continue to have clear aspirations for education, employment, financial security and family life but often lack the conditions needed to achieve them.
Goldson highlighted findings from the UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey, which gathered responses from more than 100 000 young people aged between 18 and 39 from 73 countries.
She said the survey challenges the perception that young people are moving away from relationships and parenthood, noting that uncertainty rather than unwillingness is preventing many from achieving their aspirations.
“The data shows that young people continue to value committed relationships,” Goldson said.
She said financial security was identified by 81% of respondents as a key consideration when thinking about partnerships, while economic and housing constraints were among the biggest barriers.
For parenthood, financial security (88%), stable employment (87%) and emotional readiness (85%) were identified as critical conditions.
Goldson said these findings also reflect Namibia’s reality, where many young people face barriers that affect their ability to make informed decisions about their futures.
“For Namibia, this means investing in quality education, ensuring every young person has skills for the 2026 job market, equitable health access and protecting the rights of our girls to stay in school and achieve their full potential,” she said.
Director General of the National Planning Commission Kaire Mbuende said young people are not only leaders of tomorrow but are already shaping Namibia’s development today.
He said the government recognises that youth aspirations include access to quality education, decent employment, healthcare, financial security and stable families.
However, he acknowledged that unemployment, inequality, limited economic opportunities, inadequate housing and unequal access to services continue to affect young Namibians.
“One of the greatest challenges is teenage pregnancy. It interrupts education, limits employment opportunities, perpetuates poverty and undermines the future of many young girls,” Mbuende said.
He said teenage pregnancy should not only be treated as a health issue, but as a national development priority requiring collaboration across sectors.
The discussions were supported by findings from a two-part documentary on teenage pregnancy produced by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), which examined experiences in Kunene, Ohangwena and Kavango West.
The documentary revealed that 1 662 of 13 037 female learner dropouts recorded were linked to pregnancy, accounting for 12.1% of female learner dropouts.
It further highlighted poverty, cultural practices, limited communication between parents and children about sexual and reproductive health, inadequate health facilities and limited safe spaces for young people as contributing factors.
According to data presented in the documentary, teenage pregnancy remains particularly concerning in some regions.
Health officials indicated that teenage pregnancies among girls under 18 continue to be recorded monthly, with current figures showing approximately four to five cases per month being reported through some health facilities.
The documentary also highlighted the challenges of ensuring young mothers return to school after giving birth, despite Namibia’s 2009 policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy, which allows pregnant learners to continue their education.
Education stakeholders noted that while the policy provides an opportunity for girls to return, challenges remain, particularly in regions where return rates are low.
Goldson said solutions require society to listen more closely to young people and create environments where they can make informed choices about their lives.
“You must listen to them. They have told us clearly that they value their futures, they value their families and they value their agency,” she said.
Stakeholders called for stronger investment in comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly health services, skills development, employment opportunities and support systems that enable young people to realise their aspirations.
