WINDHOEK: Namibia’s average household size reduced from 5.7 persons per household in 1993/1994 to 4.7 persons in 2009/2010, the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES) recorded.
The figures form part of survey findings which indicate that in general, household living conditions in Namibia have improved since 1993/1994.
These improvements were recorded in terms of demographic, socio-economic and poverty indicators, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)’s Head of Social Statistics, Saplox Quita said while presenting the findings of the 2009/2010 NHIES during its launch at the NSA offices today.
The NHIES provides information on income, expenditure and poverty levels for households at national, regional, urban and rural areas, necessary for evidence-based planning and decision-making.
Quita said during the period from 1993/1994 to 2009/2010, the proportion of the population aged 15 years or older with no formal education, declined from 30 per cent to 13 per cent, while in another positive development, the annual income per capita increased from N.dollar 3 031 to N.dollars 14 559 during the period under review.
In less positive news, the survey showed that there are still huge regional disparities in terms of poverty in Namibia, with the Kavango Region still being the poorest with 22.4 per cent of the total share of poverty, compared to the Erongo Region with 2.4 per cent.
2 (NCAUTE) – Two learners died an excruciating death when they were burnt beyond recognition in their room at the Matumbo Ribebe Secondary School’s hostel last night.
The school is situated at Ncaute, some 60 kilometres south of Rundu.
The Namibian Police Force (NamPol)’s Crime Investigations’ Co-ordinator for the Kavango Region, Deputy Commissioner Willie Bampton told Nampa today that it is suspected that the fire was caused by a burning candle.
The deceased were identified as 15-year-old Nangura Haindere, a Grade Eight learner at Matumbo Ribebe, and her 12-year-old brother Muronga Haindere.
Muronga Haindere stayed at the Matumbo Ribebe Secondary School hostel, but attended a different school.