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Population Review

Rank #140 by World Population

🇳🇬Nigeria

Nigeria has a population of 227,882,945, ranking #140 in the world. The capital is Abuja. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .

World Bank: Lower middle income

227,882,945

Population

#140

World Rank

54.5

Life Expectancy

$2,139

GDP Per Capita

Nigeria, #140 by world population

Nigeria Population History (1960-2024)

The country of Nigeria had a population of 45,053,782 in 1960 and 232,679,478 in 2024, a 5.2× growth over 64 years. The peak was 232,679,478 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.60%.

2024 · 233M19602024
Nigeria population, 1960–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

232,679,478

Population (2024)

45,053,782

Population (1960)

232,679,478

Peak (2024)

2.60%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
196045,053,782
196145,989,310
196246,965,292
196347,973,575
196449,012,016
196550,086,764
196651,188,234
196752,293,065
196853,432,783
196954,631,914
197055,893,838
197157,214,684
197258,601,748
197360,082,139
197461,679,144
197563,410,815
197665,258,009
197767,234,590
197869,326,532
197971,498,242
198073,764,641
198176,068,103
198278,378,701
198380,438,260
198482,526,443
198584,897,973
198687,235,953
198789,591,716
198892,020,090
198994,531,014
199097,120,925
199199,720,162
1992102,372,770
1993105,122,069
1994107,935,714
1995110,819,428
1996113,754,779
1997116,754,792
1998119,846,254
1999123,047,320
2000126,382,494
2001129,862,595
2002133,471,989
2003137,202,644
2004141,057,045
2005145,017,253
2006149,077,334
2007153,267,261
2008157,595,014
2009162,049,464
2010166,642,886
2011171,379,598
2012176,200,625
2013181,049,443
2014185,896,915
2015190,671,878
2016195,443,700
2017200,254,579
2018204,938,755
2019209,485,641
2020213,996,181
2021218,529,286
2022223,150,896
2023227,882,945
2024232,679,478

Demographics

Population227,882,945
Population Growth Rate2.10%
Urban Population62.2%
Fertility Rate4.48 births/woman
Life Expectancy54.5 years
Infant Mortality Rate70.1 per 1,000
Literacy Rate63.2%

Economy & Trade

$2,139

GDP Per Capita

3.1%

Unemployment Rate

Lower middle income

Income Level

33.9

Gini Index (inequality)

Health & Education

4.2%

Health Expenditure (% GDP)

0.38

Physicians per 1,000

0.3%

Education Expenditure (% GDP)

63.2%

Literacy Rate

70.1

Infant Mortality (per 1,000)

Development & Connectivity

61.2%

Electricity Access

39.1%

Internet Users

89

Mobile Subs per 100

250.2

People per km2

-57,936

Net Migration

Environment

23.2%

Forest Area

Nigeria Climate

Nigeria has an average annual temperature of 26.6°C (80°F) and receives about 1359 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is March and the coldest is August. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.

26.6°C

Avg Temp

1359

Precip (mm/yr)

Mar

Hottest Month

Aug

Coldest Month

15°25°35°280mmJFMAMJJASOND
— Avg temp (°C)▮ Precipitation (mm)
Nigeria — monthly temperature & precipitation (1970–2000 normals) · Source: WorldClim 2.1
MonthAvg (°C/°F)Precip
January26° / 78°2 mm
February28° / 82°6 mm
March30° / 85°25 mm
April29° / 85°79 mm
May28° / 82°156 mm
June26° / 79°180 mm
July25° / 78°229 mm
August25° / 76°280 mm
September25° / 77°269 mm
October26° / 79°125 mm
November27° / 80°7 mm
December26° / 78°1 mm

1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.

Best time to visit Nigeria

The most comfortable months to visit Nigeria are typically December, January and November, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is March (around 36°C high). The coldest is August (near 21°C low). August is usually the wettest month.

DecemberJanuaryNovember

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Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

AngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundi

Compare Nigeria

vs South Africa

Nigeria in global context

Nigeria is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.

World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →

Other related entities

Angola (36,749,906)Benin (14,111,034)Botswana (2,480,244)Burkina Faso (23,025,776)Burundi (13,689,450)All countries →

Country rankings

Populated Countries in the WorldCountries With Highest GDP Per CapitaCountries With Highest Life ExpectancyCountries With Highest Fertility RatesCountries With Highest Literacy RatesUrbanized Countries in the WorldFastest Growing Countries by PopulationCountries With Highest Infant MortalityCountries With Highest Income InequalityCountries With Most International TourismAll rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Nigeria has a population of 227,882,945, ranking #140 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 2.10%.

Life expectancy in Nigeria is 54.5 years. The infant mortality rate is 70.1 per 1,000 live births.

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $2,139. It is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank.

62.2% of Nigeria's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 250.2 people per square kilometer.

The adult literacy rate in Nigeria is 63.2%. The country spends 0.3% of GDP on education.

The most comfortable months to visit Nigeria are typically December, January and November, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.

Nigeria has an average annual temperature of 26.6°C and about 1359 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically March and the coldest is August.

Sources: World Bank Open Data

International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.

With 227,882,945 residents, Nigeria is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa . Its population is growing quickly, by about 2.1% a year.

GDP per capita is roughly $2,139, placing Nigeria among lower-income economies. Life expectancy is 54.5 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 4.5 births per woman, and 62.2% of the population lives in urban areas.

Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.