What is the population of Nigeria in 2026?
Nigeria has a population of 237,527,782 people (2025 estimate), which is 6th in the world and about 2.86% of the global total.
Officially Federal Republic of Nigeria
Population 2025
237,527,782
2.86% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
+2.06%
+4,897,823 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
250/km²
910,770 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
18.1 years
Life expectancy 54.6 years
Our World in Data, 2025About Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world, with over 223 million people. Located in West Africa along the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria is often called the 'Giant of Africa' due to its large population and economy. It is Africa's largest economy by GDP and a major oil producer. Nigeria is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse countries, with over 250 ethnic groups speaking more than 500 languages.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Abuja
- Continent
- Africa
- ISO codes
- NG · NGA
- Demonym
- Nigerian
- Currency
- Nigerian naira (NGN ₦)
- Government
- Federal republic
- State inception
- 1963
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +234
- Internet TLD
- .ng
- Land neighbours
- 4
Languages
- English
Religions
- Islam (53%)
- Christianity (46%)
- Traditional (1%)
Demographics
Nigeria's population is growing rapidly at 2.4% annually and could exceed 400 million by 2050. The median age of 18.1 years makes it one of the world's youngest countries. Urbanization is accelerating, with about 52% now living in cities. Major ethnic groups include Hausa-Fulani (30%), Yoruba (16%), Igbo (18%), and Ijaw (10%). English is the official language, with Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo widely spoken.
Economy
Nigeria has Africa's largest economy, heavily dependent on oil which accounts for over 90% of export revenue. However, oil benefits few Nigerians, and poverty remains widespread. Agriculture employs about 35% of the workforce. The economy suffers from infrastructure deficits, corruption, and the 'resource curse.' Lagos is a major financial center, and Nollywood is the world's second-largest film industry by volume.
Major exports
- Crude petroleum
- Petroleum gas
- Cocoa
- Rubber
- Leather
Major imports
- Refined petroleum
- Wheat
- Automobiles
- Packaged medicaments
- Rice
- Sugar
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Nigeria's terrain varies from coastal swamps and rainforest in the south to savanna and semi-arid regions in the north. The Niger River and its delta dominate the landscape. The Jos Plateau rises in the central region. Climate ranges from equatorial in the south to tropical savanna in the center to semi-arid in the north. The Niger Delta is one of the world's largest river deltas.
Natural resources
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Tin
- Iron ore
- Coal
- Limestone
- Niobium
- Lead
- Zinc
- Arable land
Climate
- Equatorial in south, tropical in center, semi-arid in north
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 41.0%
- Age 15–64
- 55.9%
- Age 65+
- 3.0%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 49 | 142 |
| 95-99 | 1,218 | 2,352 |
| 90-94 | 14,370 | 20,622 |
| 85-89 | 82,397 | 100,227 |
| 80-84 | 264,848 | 299,181 |
| 75-79 | 566,306 | 629,688 |
| 70-74 | 961,962 | 1,073,053 |
| 65-69 | 1,476,034 | 1,601,161 |
| 60-64 | 2,046,330 | 2,154,829 |
| 55-59 | 2,703,817 | 2,751,296 |
| 50-54 | 3,531,762 | 3,525,540 |
| 45-49 | 4,630,435 | 4,548,940 |
| 40-44 | 5,608,713 | 5,475,974 |
| 35-39 | 6,415,364 | 6,256,761 |
| 30-34 | 7,538,669 | 7,304,101 |
| 25-29 | 9,017,930 | 8,715,678 |
| 20-24 | 11,130,512 | 10,731,427 |
| 15-19 | 13,280,320 | 12,786,667 |
| 10-14 | 15,152,791 | 14,648,404 |
| 5-9 | 16,125,159 | 15,675,358 |
| 0-4 | 17,124,785 | 16,704,305 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 37,283,010 |
| 1960 | 45,053,782 |
| 1970 | 55,893,838 |
| 1980 | 73,764,641 |
| 1990 | 97,120,925 |
| 2000 | 126,382,494 |
| 2010 | 166,642,886 |
| 2020 | 213,996,181 |
| 2030 | 262,380,970 |
| 2040 | 312,710,416 |
| 2050 | 359,185,556 |
| 2060 | 399,785,267 |
| 2070 | 433,485,694 |
| 2080 | 457,921,590 |
| 2090 | 471,885,519 |
| 2100 | 476,747,781 |
History
Nigeria's territory has been home to advanced civilizations for millennia, including the Nok culture, Hausa city-states, Yoruba kingdoms, and the Benin Empire. British colonization unified diverse peoples into a single country. Nigeria gained independence in 1960. A civil war (1967-70) over Biafran secession caused over a million deaths. Military rule dominated until 1999 when civilian government was restored.
Culture
Nigeria's cultural diversity produces rich artistic traditions. Nollywood films and Afrobeats music have global reach. Traditional arts include bronze casting (Benin), textile weaving, and wood carving. Each ethnic group has distinct customs, festivals, and cuisines. Religion is roughly divided between Islam in the north and Christianity in the south. Literature has produced Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and acclaimed author Chinua Achebe.
Current Challenges
Nigeria faces severe challenges: widespread poverty despite oil wealth, high unemployment, infrastructure gaps, electricity shortages, corruption, insurgency (Boko Haram) in the northeast, farmer-herder conflicts, separatist movements, crime, and brain drain. Economic diversification away from oil is urgent. Population growth strains resources and services. Climate change increases conflict over water and land.
Future Outlook
Nigeria's trajectory will significantly impact Africa and the world. If current trends continue, Nigeria could become the third most populous country by 2050. Economic diversification, governance improvements, education expansion, and job creation are essential. Nigeria has potential in technology (growing tech hubs), agriculture, and services. Managing demographic growth and ethnic/religious tensions are existential challenges.
Highlights
What Nigeria Is Known For
- Africa's most populous country
- Africa's largest economy
- World's second-largest film industry
- Over 250 ethnic groups
- Major oil producer (Africa's largest)
Interesting Facts About Nigeria
- Nigeria has the world's second-largest film industry (Nollywood) by number of films
- Over 500 languages are spoken in Nigeria
- Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava
- The Nigerian city of Lagos may become the world's largest by 2100
- Nigerians are the most educated immigrant group in the United States
- Nigeria is home to the world's third-largest butterfly population
How Nigeria Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
- India1.46B
- China1.41B
- United States341.8M
- Indonesia285.7M
- Pakistan255.2M
- Nigeria237.5M
- Brazil212.8M
- Bangladesh175.7M
- Russia143.5M
- Ethiopia135.5M
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
Major Cities in Nigeria
1 metropolitan area in our city dataset.
- Lagos15.9M · +3.44%
Countries Bordering Nigeria
4 land borders.
Nigeria Population FAQ
Is the population of Nigeria growing or shrinking?
Nigeria's population is growing at +2.06% per year, a change of roughly 4,897,823 people annually.
What is the capital of Nigeria?
The capital of Nigeria is Abuja.
What is the largest city in Nigeria?
Lagos is the largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, with about 15.9M people.
How densely populated is Nigeria?
Nigeria has 250/km² across 910,770 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in Nigeria?
Life expectancy at birth in Nigeria is 54.6 years (2024).
What is the median age in Nigeria?
The median age in Nigeria is 18.1 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is Nigeria in?
Nigeria is in Africa.