Current estimates of the labour force put the figure at 546,052 of which the formal sector employs about 225,104, and the informal sector 129,769. An unusually high proportion of government spending on public sector salaries also dominates the Namibian economy.
Income distribution continues to be one of the major issues of concern.
At the end of 1999, President Nujoma was sworn in for a controversial third term despite violent incidents during the elections and the assessment by political analysts that the elections were free, though not that fair to the opposition parties. Increasing levels of poverty and unemployment as well as the rapid increase in HIV infection rates currently influence the political situation. The deployment of Namibian troops in the costly civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its attendant effect on the Caprivi crisis also have significant impact on the political landscape. This is also expected to have a positive impact on the existing dispute prevention and resolution system in Namibia which has not yet become self-reliant and independent of the social partners. International Labour Standards Namibia has the least number of ratifications of ILO Conventions in Southern Africa.