Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Lagos, Nigeria metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Lagos, in Nigeria, ranked as the most populated city in Africa as of 2024, with an estimated population of roughly nine million inhabitants living in the city proper. Kinshasa, in Congo, and Cairo, in Egypt, followed with some 7.8 million and 7.7 million dwellers. Among the 15 largest cities in the continent, another two, Kano, and Ibadan, were located in Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa. Population density trends in Africa As of 2022, Africa exhibited a population density of 48.3 individuals per square kilometer. At the beginning of 2000, the population density across the continent has experienced a consistent annual increment. Projections indicated that the average population residing within each square kilometer would rise to approximately 54 by the year 2027. Moreover, Mauritius stood out as the African nation with the most elevated population density, exceeding 640 individuals per square kilometre. Mauritius possesses one of the most compact territories on the continent, a factor that significantly influences its high population density. Urbanization dynamics in Africa The urbanization rate in Africa was anticipated to reach close to 44 percent in 2021. Urbanization across the continent has consistently risen since 2000, with urban areas accommodating 35 percent of the total population. This trajectory is projected to continue its ascent in the years ahead. Nevertheless, the distribution between rural and urban populations shows remarkable diversity throughout the continent. In 2021, Gabon and Libya stood out as Africa’s most urbanized nations, each surpassing 80 percent urbanization. In 2023, Africa's population was estimated to expand by 2.35 percent compared to the preceding year. Since 2000, the population growth rate across the continent has consistently exceeded 2.45 percent, reaching its pinnacle at 2.59 percent between 2012 and 2013. Although the growth rate has experienced a deceleration, Africa's population will persistently grow significantly in the forthcoming years.

In 2022, roughly 15.4 million people lived in Lagos, Nigeria, making it the largest city in Africa. Lagos's population has been gradually increasing, with thousands of people flocking every year to the city, searching for job opportunities and a better life. By 2035, 24.4 million might be dwelling in the city.

As of July 2024, Nigeria's population was estimated at around 229.5 million. Between 1965 and 2024, the number of people living in Nigeria increased at an average rate of over two percent. In 2024, the population grew by 2.42 percent compared to the previous year. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. By extension, the African continent records the highest growth rate in the world. Africa's most populous country Nigeria was the most populous country in Africa as of 2023. As of 2022, Lagos held the distinction of being Nigeria's biggest urban center, a status it also retained as the largest city across all of sub-Saharan Africa. The city boasted an excess of 17.5 million residents. Notably, Lagos assumed the pivotal roles of the nation's primary financial hub, cultural epicenter, and educational nucleus. Furthermore, Lagos was one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world. Nigeria's youthful population In Nigeria, a significant 50 percent of the populace is under the age of 19. The most prominent age bracket is constituted by those up to four years old: comprising 8.3 percent of men and eight percent of women as of 2021. Nigeria boasts one of the world's most youthful populations. On a broader scale, both within Africa and internationally, Niger maintains the lowest median age record. Nigeria secures the 20th position in global rankings. Furthermore, the life expectancy in Nigeria is an average of 62 years old. However, this is different between men and women. The main causes of death have been neonatal disorders, malaria, and diarrheal diseases.

Estimate population figures at state administrative level and different age groups

Nigeria is the African country with the largest population, counting over 230 million people. As of 2024, the largest city in Nigeria was Lagos, which is also the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of population size. The city counts more than nine million inhabitants, whereas Kano, the second most populous city, registers around 3.6 million inhabitants. Lagos is the main financial, cultural, and educational center in the country. Where Africa’s urban population is booming The metropolitan area of Lagos is also among the largest urban agglomerations in the world. Besides Lagos, another most populated citiy in Africa is Cairo, in Egypt. However, Africa’s urban population is booming in other relatively smaller cities. For instance, the population of Bujumbura, in Burundi, could grow by 123 percent between 2020 and 2035, making it the fastest growing city in Africa and likely in the world. Similarly, Zinder, in Niger, could reach over one million inhabitants by 2035, the second fastest growing city. Demographic urban shift More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. In the next decades, this will increase, especially in Africa and Asia. In 2020, over 80 percent of the population in Northern America was living in urban areas, the highest share in the world. In Africa, the degree of urbanization was about 40 percent, the lowest among all continents. Meeting the needs of a fast-growing population can be a challenge, especially in low-income countries. Therefore, there will be a growing necessity to implement policies to sustainably improve people’s lives in rural and urban areas.

Populated place − place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population (city, settlement, town, village) and by definition has no legal boundaries

The Egyptian capital, Cairo, is the largest agglomeration on the African continent. In 2023, almost 23 million people resided in Greater Cairo (consisting of parts of three governorates). Johannesburg-Pretoria, South Africa, and Lagos, Nigeria, followed, with close to 15.6 million and 14.5 million inhabitants, respectively.

The metropolitan area of Lagos in Nigeria counted over 14 million middle-class people as of 2018. This was the highest number in Africa. Addis Ababa in Ethiopia followed with 2.7 million individuals belonging to the middle class. The middle-class population included people who had a disposable income of over 75 percent of their salary, were employed, had a business activity, or were in education, and had at least a secondary school degree.

In 2023, Gabon had the highest urbanization rate in Africa, with over 90 percent of the population living in urban areas. Libya and Djibouti followed at around 82 percent and 79 percent, respectively. On the other hand, many countries on the continent had the majority of the population residing in rural areas. As of 2023, urbanization in Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, and Burundi was below 20 percent. A growing urban population On average, the African urbanization rate stood at approximately 45 percent in 2023. The number of people living in urban areas has been growing steadily since 2000 and is forecast to increase further in the coming years. The urbanization process is being particularly rapid in Burundi, Uganda, Niger, and Tanzania. In these countries, the urban population grew by over 4.2 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year. The most populous cities in Africa Africa’s largest city is Lagos in Nigeria, counting around nine million people. It is followed by Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cairo in Egypt, each with over seven million inhabitants. Moreover, other cities on the continent are growing rapidly. The population of Bujumbura in Burundi will increase by 123 percent between 2020 and 2035, registering the highest growth rate on the continent. Other fast-growing cities are Zinder in Niger, Kampala in Uganda, and Kabinda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Nigeria's population structure reveals a youthful demographic, with those aged **** years comprising the largest age group compared to the total of those between the ages of 30 and 84 years. The majority of the young population are men. This demographic trend has significant implications for Nigeria's future, particularly in terms of economic development and social services. It has the potential to offer a large future workforce that could drive economic growth if it is adequately educated and employed. However, without sufficient investment in health, education, and job creation, this youth bulge could strain public resources and fuel unemployment and social unrest. Poverty challenges amid population growth Despite Nigeria's large youth population, the country faces substantial poverty challenges. This is largely due to its youth unemployment rate, which goes contrary to the expectation that the country’s large labor force would contribute to employment and the economic development of the nation. In 2022, an estimated **** million Nigerians lived in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than **** U.S. dollars a day. This number is expected to rise in the coming years, indicating a growing disparity between population growth and economic opportunities. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where **** million people live in extreme poverty compared to *** million in urban centers. Linguistic and ethnic diversity Nigeria's population is characterized by significant linguistic and ethnic diversity. Hausa is the most commonly spoken language at home, used by ** percent of the population, followed by Yoruba at ** percent and Igbo at ** percent. This linguistic variety reflects Nigeria's complex ethnic composition, with major groups including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Fulani. English, the country's official language, serves as the primary language of instruction in schools, promoting literacy across diverse communities.

The Nigerian food service market, encompassing diverse segments like cafes, restaurants (full-service and quick-service), and cloud kitchens, is experiencing robust growth. While precise market size figures for 2019-2024 are not provided, a logical estimation based on global trends and the projected CAGR suggests a substantial market value. The rising middle class, increasing urbanization, and a young, tech-savvy population are key drivers. The preference for convenience fuels the growth of quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and cloud kitchens, while the increasing popularity of international cuisines expands the full-service restaurant (FSR) sector. Growth is further fueled by the burgeoning tourism sector, impacting the food service offerings in leisure, lodging, and travel locations. However, challenges remain, including infrastructural limitations, fluctuating food prices, and competition from informal street food vendors. The market is segmented by food service type (cafes, QSRs, FSRs, cloud kitchens), cuisine (ranging from local delicacies to international options), outlet type (chained versus independent), and location (standalone, retail, leisure, etc.). This segmentation reveals dynamic market behavior with certain cuisines and outlet types showing higher growth than others. Furthermore, the influence of established players like Devyani International (Nigeria) Limited and others reflects the competitive landscape and ongoing investments in the sector. The forecast period (2025-2033) holds immense potential as the market continues to mature and adapt to evolving consumer preferences. The future trajectory of the Nigerian food service market hinges on several factors. Successful operators will need to adapt to changing consumer preferences, manage rising food costs effectively, and leverage technology for efficient operations and customer engagement. Investment in infrastructure, particularly reliable power and supply chains, will play a crucial role in overall market development. The expanding middle class's increasing disposable income will continue to fuel demand. The potential for significant growth is further enhanced by strategies focused on innovative menu offerings, improved service quality, and effective marketing campaigns targeting specific demographic segments. Furthermore, strategic partnerships and collaborations within the food service ecosystem could lead to accelerated growth and the emergence of new market leaders in the coming years. Government policies aimed at fostering a favorable business environment will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of this vibrant sector. Recent developments include: December 2022: Jumia Food, the leading online food delivery platform in Nigeria, partnered with Domino’s Pizza, a world-leading pizza brand, to offer consumers access to meals from the comfort of their homes. The partnership will provide a steady supply of Domino’s portfolio to consumers through the Jumia Food platform and ensure they receive their orders in a short time.April 2022: Sundry Foods Limited opened five new outlets in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt across the country. The new outlets include three brands: Kilimanjaro, Pizza Jungle, and Kiligrill.October 2021: Food Concepts, a leading quick service restaurant (QSR) operator in West Africa, opened its 200th store in the region. The fast-food chain operates stores across Nigeria and Ghana, trading under the Chicken Republic, PieXpress, and Chop Box brands.. Notable trends are: Increased tourist arrivals from Asia led to great exposure to diverse Asian cuisines.

Nigeria birth rate for 2025 is 35.34, a 0.96% decline from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Nigeria birth rate for 2024 was <strong>35.68</strong>, a <strong>8.28% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Nigeria birth rate for 2023 was <strong>32.95</strong>, a <strong>0.72% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Nigeria birth rate for 2022 was <strong>33.19</strong>, a <strong>1.06% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.

This statistic shows the total population of Nigeria from 2013 to 2023 by gender. In 2023, Nigeria's female population amounted to approximately 112.68 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 115.21 million inhabitants.

The Nigerian used car market, valued at $1.14 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.90% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several factors. Rising urbanization and a growing middle class are increasing demand for personal transportation, particularly affordable used vehicles. The relatively low cost of used cars compared to new vehicles makes them an attractive option for a large segment of the Nigerian population. Furthermore, the increasing availability of online platforms connecting buyers and sellers is streamlining the purchasing process and boosting market transparency. However, challenges remain. The lack of standardized vehicle quality checks and the prevalence of unorganized sellers contribute to uncertainty and risk for buyers. Government regulations regarding vehicle imports and emission standards also impact the market dynamics. Segment-wise, hatchbacks and sedans dominate the vehicle type segment due to their affordability and fuel efficiency. The organized sector is gradually gaining market share over the unorganized sector due to enhanced trust and transparency. Petrol and diesel vehicles still account for the largest share of the fuel type segment, but the electric vehicle segment is expected to exhibit moderate growth, though it remains small compared to conventional fuel options. Finally, offline sales currently dominate, but online platforms are growing rapidly, poised for significant expansion in the coming years. The competitive landscape is fragmented, with numerous players, including both established online marketplaces like Jiji (Cars45), Carmart, and OList, and smaller, independent dealers. The success of these companies depends on building trust, improving inventory management, and providing reliable after-sales service. Future growth will hinge on addressing consumer concerns regarding vehicle quality and transparency, while simultaneously leveraging technological advancements to improve the efficiency and reach of the market. Regulations fostering a more organized and transparent market will also contribute significantly to positive long-term growth. The continued expansion of the Nigerian economy and growing infrastructure developments will create a conducive environment for substantial future growth in the used car sector. Focusing on robust quality checks and expanding financing options could unlock even greater market potential. Recent developments include: July 2023: Carloha Nigeria, a global automobile company that specializes in sales and services of quality used vehicles, opened an HD Autos outlet, a new automobile shop in Lagos, Nigeria, to offer a wide range of reliable and stylish used vehicles to customers willing to purchase a used vehicle. Further, to enhance this venture further, Carloha Nigeria partnered with HD Motors, a renowned name in the automotive industry, known for its high-quality vehicles and exceptional customer service, to strengthen its presence in the used car market in Nigeria., April 2023: Nigeria-based used car and financing platform Autochek acquired a majority stake in Egypt's used cars marketplace, AutoTager, to deepen its business presence across North Africa. This is the third acquisition for Autochek in less than a year and the sixth in under two years., July 2022: CFAO Motors, the sole distributor of Suzuki cars in Nigeria, announced its new partnership with Autochek, an automotive technology company that makes car ownership more accessible, to give funding to Nigerians desiring to own the Suzuki range of cars.. Key drivers for this market are: Rising Adoption of Digital Technologies, Others. Potential restraints include: Rising Adoption of Digital Technologies, Others. Notable trends are: Rising Adoption of Digital Technologies Will Foster the Growth of the Target Market.

In 2022, Nigeria's population was estimated at around *** million individuals. Demographic projections show that the Nigerian population might experience a constant increase in the next decades. By 2050, it is forecast that the population will grow to over *** million people compared to 2022.

The Nigeria plastic bottles market, valued at $45.53 million in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.10% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers. The burgeoning food and beverage sector, particularly bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, and juices, constitutes a significant demand driver. Rising disposable incomes and changing consumer preferences towards convenient packaging are further boosting market growth. Increased urbanization and a growing population also contribute to the elevated demand for plastic bottles across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, personal care, and household chemicals. While the market faces restraints such as environmental concerns regarding plastic waste and fluctuating resin prices, the overall growth trajectory remains positive, driven by the strong demand from key end-use industries. The market is segmented by resin type (Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), and others) and end-use industries (food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, industrial, and others). Key players like Bestaf Holdings, Shan Packaging Limited, and others are shaping the competitive landscape, with both established and emerging players vying for market share. The market's future success hinges on addressing environmental sustainability concerns through initiatives promoting recycling and the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives. The regional distribution of the market within Nigeria is likely to be influenced by population density and industrial concentration, with major cities and manufacturing hubs potentially commanding larger market shares. Further research is needed to accurately delineate regional segmentation data. However, the overall positive growth outlook suggests significant opportunities for investors and industry participants. The market's resilience is underscored by its diversification across several end-use sectors, mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in individual industry performances. The continuous innovation in resin technology and packaging design also presents avenues for enhanced product offerings and market penetration. Strategic partnerships focused on sustainable practices are vital to ensure long-term market viability and environmental responsibility. Recent developments include: July 2024: Propak West Africa opened registration for the 2024 Propak manufacturing exhibition, set to take place in September in Lagos, Nigeria. The exhibition will feature over 250 companies worldwide, all presenting their latest packaging innovations., September 2023: SIPA Solutions, an Italy-based company manufacturing plastic solutions, opened a new office in Lagos, Nigeria, marking a significant expansion of its global operations. This strategic move into West Africa is poised to bolster the company's operations. Through this expansion, SIPA seeks to fortify its presence and provide enhanced support to both existing and potential partners in Nigeria.. Key drivers for this market are: Growing Popularity of Non-alcoholic Beverages in the Country, Increasing Availability of Wide Range of Plastic Bottles. Potential restraints include: Growing Popularity of Non-alcoholic Beverages in the Country, Increasing Availability of Wide Range of Plastic Bottles. Notable trends are: Polyethylene (PE) Segment is Estimated to Record the Largest Market Share.

The Nigerian states of Sokoto and Taraba had the largest percentage of people living below the poverty line as of 2019. The lowest poverty rates were recorded in the South and South-Western states. In Lagos, this figure equaled 4.5 percent, the lowest rate in Nigeria.

A large population in poverty

In Nigeria, an individual is considered poor when they have an availability of less than 137.4 thousand Nigerian Naira (roughly 334 U.S. dollars) per year. Similarly, a person having under 87.8 thousand Naira (about 213 U.S. dollars) in a year available for food was living below the poverty line according to Nigerian national standards. In total, 40.1 percent of the population in Nigeria lived in poverty.

Food insecurity on the rise

On average, 21.4 percent of the population in Nigeria experienced hunger between 2018 and 2020. People in severe food insecurity would go for entire days without food due to lack of money or other resources. Over the last years, the prevalence with severe food among Nigerians has been increasing, as the demand for food is rising together with a fast-growing population.