Population in Nigeria
Nigeria: Population was 227.88 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population in Nigeria, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, population in Nigeria stood at 227.88 million people. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.1% on the previous year and up 25.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Nigeria peaked at 227.88 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 37.28 million people, in 1950.
That places Nigeria 6th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 40.63 million people | 37.28 million people | 44.16 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 49.66 million people | 45.05 million people | 54.63 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 63.02 million people | 55.89 million people | 71.50 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 83.95 million people | 73.76 million people | 94.53 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 109.65 million people | 97.12 million people | 123.05 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 143.50 million people | 126.38 million people | 162.05 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 188.20 million people | 166.64 million people | 209.49 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 220.89 million people | 214.00 million people | 227.88 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More population data for Nigeria
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 32.05 million people (2100)
- Population density 523.46 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 4.38 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 96,387 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 4.38 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 4.38 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.1% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 4.48 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Nigeria?
- Population in Nigeria was 227.88 million people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 227.88 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.28 million people in 1950.
- How does Nigeria rank for population?
- Nigeria ranks 6th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown.