Nigeria vs United States: Urban and rural population
Nigeria
151.48 million
in 2025
United States
278.49 million
in 2025
Nigeria rank
6th
United States rank
3rd
Urban and rural population over time
- Nigeria
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 278.49 million against 151.48 million in Nigeria, a difference of 127.00 million.
That makes United States's figure about 1.8 times Nigeria's.
Across all 76 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
Nigeria ranks 6th and United States ranks 3rd of 236 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Nigeria | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 4.77 million | 110.60 million | 105.83 million | United States |
| 1960s | 8.41 million | 139.33 million | 130.93 million | United States |
| 1970s | 14.83 million | 160.44 million | 145.61 million | United States |
| 1980s | 26.08 million | 178.63 million | 152.54 million | United States |
| 1990s | 42.70 million | 205.29 million | 162.59 million | United States |
| 2000s | 67.87 million | 235.66 million | 167.79 million | United States |
| 2010s | 104.44 million | 261.36 million | 156.92 million | United States |
| 2020s | 139.49 million | 274.55 million | 135.07 million | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, Nigeria or United States?
- United States, at 278.49 million against 151.48 million in Nigeria as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between Nigeria and United States?
- 127.00 million, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Nigeria and United States?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do Nigeria and United States rank globally for urban and rural population?
- Nigeria ranks 6th and United States ranks 3rd of 236 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Urban and rural population. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.