Between 2018 and 2021, the death toll rose from 18939 to 24117.

The majority of these fatalities affected males, infants, and the elderly.

This is contained in the second series of mortality and causes of death reports launched by the Namibia Statistics Agency today.

The recorded deaths are attributed to hypertensive diseases in 2020 with 8,8%, while COVID-19 was the leading cause of death in 2021 with 18,6%, followed by HIV and lower respiratory infections.

There is a serious need to shorten time lags between the years of producing data.

This was highlighted in the second series of mortality and causes of death reports launched by the Namibia Statistics Agency today.

A lack of data is said to fuel policy blindness and affect national programmes.

Deputy Statistician-General at the Namibia Statistics Agency, Ottilie Mwazi, pointed out challenges of delay encountered during the production of the mortality and causes of death reports.

The recent report only captured data from 2018–2021.

The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation and its partners are working together to find ways to simplify employment creation and effect broader change in the economy.

The ministry, the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) launched the updated Social Accounting Matrix (SAM).

The main goal of the Employment Impact Assessment is to assist in the design of targeted interventions that promote more and better job creation for all, including women and youth.

The Census enumeration officially closes today, while the Post-Enumeration Survey will start on Monday.

Statistician General Alex Shimuafeni shares more.

President Hage Geingob has appealed to citizens to cooperate with the Census enumerators and provide accurate data for national development purposes.

Dr. Geingob said this as the management of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), led by Board Chairperson Salomo Hei and Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni, visited their residence to enumerate the first family in Windhoek.

President Geingob and First Lady Monica Geingos were out of the country on official duty on September 24th, the Census reference night.

The Census exercise has not been a walk in the park, with enumerators being chased and/or harassed by the public.

News anchor Elago Shitaatala spoke to Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni about the progress made so far.

Although this is not Namibia's first population and housing census, there appears to be a general lack of understanding of the importance of this national exercise.

Not only that, but some say they have not tasted the fruits of the government's planning efforts.

The nbc News team gauged the views of residents on the western side of the city.

Mundu Omuua Mieze says he understands the need for counting the population, but adds that it does not amount to any benefit at his level.

In a critical development for the nation's data-gathering efforts, the National Statistics Agency (NSA) is facing formidable challenges as it undertakes a comprehensive population and housing census.

In a recent update on the year's enumeration efforts, Deputy Statistician General of the NSA, Ottilie Mwazi, and Population and Housing Census Manager, Ndapandula Ndikwetepo, provided insights into the progress and challenges faced by the agency.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba led by example today as he was enumerated for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

This move sends a strong message about the significance of accurate data collection and the vital role of enumerators in the process. Mbumba welcomed the enumerators into his residence, showcasing the importance of this nationwide initiative.

The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) census coordinator in the Zambezi Region has commended residents on their willingness to cooperate during the first phase of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

Obrien Sibuku said that the first part of the exercise, which included the enumeration of the special census, was a success with minimal challenges experienced. The special census, which took place at midnight on Sunday, September 24, included visits to hospitals, guest houses, border posts, and police holding cells.