Social sector receives largest portion of FY2026/27 budget

WINDHOEK, 26 FEB (NAMPA) - The social sector, encompassing education, health, social safety nets and youth empowerment, continues to command the largest share of government expenditure, Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah said on Wednesday.
Tabling the 2026/27 national budget in the National Assembly, Shafudah announced that the sector has been allocated N.dollars 54.3 billion, representing 61.7 per cent of the total budget, excluding interest payments.
“The prioritisation of education and health in this budget reflects the government’s firm commitment to the objectives of NDP6,” she said.
Shafudah noted that sustained investment in these areas is aimed at strengthening human capital, boosting productivity and advancing inclusive growth.
“Education equips our youth with skills for a modern economy, while health spending safeguards workforce participation and reduces long-term fiscal costs. Even in a constrained fiscal environment, the government is protecting these sectors because they are strategic investments in sustainable growth, fiscal resilience and intergenerational equity,” she said.
Of the total allocation, N.dollars 28 billion has been directed to the Education, Innovation, Arts and Culture sector. This includes N.dollars 2.8 billion for subsidised tertiary education and the alleviation of school congestion, as well as N.dollars 939 million earmarked for developmental projects. The Sports, Youth and National Services portfolio has been allocated N.dollars 750 million for the 2026/27 financial year.
Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, the social sector will receive N.dollars 83.6 billion.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has been allocated N.dollars 13.1 billion for 2026/27, including N.dollars 259 million for the recruitment of health professionals. Over the MTEF period, the ministry is set to receive N.dollars 38.5 billion to upgrade public hospitals and clinics to private sector standards.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Veteran Affairs has been allocated N.dollars 1.5 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, amounting to N.dollars 4.6 billion over the MTEF period.
Shafudah said the budget theme, “People, Productivity and Prudence”, serves as a call to action to cultivate human potential, strengthen growth drivers and safeguard fiscal sustainability.
(NAMPA)
UK/HP/AS