According to estimations from 2018, Nigeria's major ethnic groups are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), and Fulani. Hausa people are estimated to make up 30 percent of the country's population. Hausa is an ethnic group of people speaking the Hausa language. The Hausa are mainly present in West Africa, most of them living between Nigeria and Niger. Another 30 percent of Nigeria's population is constituted by Yoruba and Igbo (Ibo), while about six percent of Nigerians are Fulani.

The total population in Nigeria was estimated at 227.9 million people in 2023, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Nigeria Population - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Total current population for Nigeria in 2025 is 234,573,603, a 2.37% increase from 2024.

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

<li>Total population for Nigeria in 2024 was <strong>229,152,217</strong>, a <strong>0.56% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for Nigeria in 2023 was <strong>227,882,945</strong>, a <strong>2.12% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for Nigeria in 2022 was <strong>223,150,896</strong>, a <strong>2.11% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

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.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata. DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates (http://esa.un.org/wpp/) and remaining unadjusted. REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743. FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available. Nigeria data available from WorldPop here.

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.

Historical chart and dataset showing Nigeria population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

Key information about Nigeria population

• The Nigeria population reached 211.5 million people in Dec 2021, compared with the previously reported figure of 206.3 million people in Dec 2020
• The data reached an all-time high of 211.5 million people in Dec 2021 and a record low of 37.9 million people in Dec 1950

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Nigeria was reported at 3.0282 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Population: Total data was reported at 190,886,311.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 185,989,640.000 Person for 2016. Nigeria NG: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 91,647,317.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 190,886,311.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 45,137,812.000 Person in 1960. Nigeria NG: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Nigeria (POPTOTNGA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2023 about Nigeria and population.

Population, total in Nigeria was reported at 227882945 in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Population, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

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.

Rural population (% of total population) in Nigeria was reported at 45.72 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Population Projection: Mid Year data was reported at 416,996,080.000 Person in 2050. This records an increase from the previous number of 409,470,192.000 Person for 2049. Nigeria NG: Population Projection: Mid Year data is updated yearly, averaging 125,580,732.000 Person from Jun 1950 (Median) to 2050, with 101 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 416,996,080.000 Person in 2050 and a record low of 31,796,939.000 Person in 1950. Nigeria NG: Population Projection: Mid Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Numeric count of age bracket within a geographical area at ward level

This is a webmap that displays the population density by state of the country Nigeria as at 1991. It gives a visual, easy to understand display of the difference in population density among the different states using a graduated colour scheme. The population density is calculated by dividing the states total population by the are of its landmass in m².

Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in Nigeria was reported at 39.2 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Individuals using the Internet (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

NG: Completeness of Birth Registration: Female data was reported at 30.700 % in 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.500 % for 2008. NG: Completeness of Birth Registration: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 30.600 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2013, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.700 % in 2013 and a record low of 30.500 % in 2008. NG: Completeness of Birth Registration: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Completeness of birth registration is the percentage of children under age 5 whose births were registered at the time of the survey. The numerator of completeness of birth registration includes children whose birth certificate was seen by the interviewer or whose mother or caretaker says the birth has been registered.; ; UNICEF's State of the World's Children based mostly on household surveys and ministry of health data.; ;

Nigeria NG: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data was reported at 0.658 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.577 % for 2010. Nigeria NG: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.471 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.658 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.397 % in 2000. Nigeria NG: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.; ; United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2008 Revision.; Weighted average;