Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has experienced rapid population growth over the last six decades. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Nigeria’s population surged from 45 million in 1960 to over 227 million in 2023, and is projected to reach approximately 359 million by 2050.
This demographic rise is fueled by high fertility rates and a youthful population, positioning Nigeria as a future global demographic powerhouse. It is expected to become the third most populous country in the world by mid-century, surpassing the U.S. and behind only India and China.
Understanding Nigeria’s population trajectory is critical for shaping policies on education, infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development.
Nigeria’s Population (1960–2050)
| Year | Total Population |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 45,053,782 |
| 1961 | 45,989,310 |
| 1962 | 46,965,292 |
| 1963 | 47,973,575 |
| 1964 | 49,012,016 |
| 1965 | 50,086,764 |
| 1966 | 51,188,234 |
| 1967 | 52,293,065 |
| 1968 | 53,432,783 |
| 1969 | 54,631,914 |
| 1970 | 55,893,838 |
| 1971 | 57,214,684 |
| 1972 | 58,601,748 |
| 1973 | 60,082,139 |
| 1974 | 61,679,144 |
| 1975 | 63,410,815 |
| 1976 | 65,258,009 |
| 1977 | 67,234,590 |
| 1978 | 69,326,532 |
| 1979 | 71,498,242 |
| 1980 | 73,764,641 |
| 1981 | 76,068,103 |
| 1982 | 78,378,701 |
| 1983 | 80,438,260 |
| 1984 | 82,526,443 |
| 1985 | 84,897,973 |
| 1986 | 87,235,953 |
| 1987 | 89,591,716 |
| 1988 | 92,020,090 |
| 1989 | 94,531,014 |
| 1990 | 97,120,925 |
| 1991 | 99,720,162 |
| 1992 | 102,372,770 |
| 1993 | 105,122,069 |
| 1994 | 107,935,714 |
| 1995 | 110,819,428 |
| 1996 | 113,754,779 |
| 1997 | 116,754,792 |
| 1998 | 119,846,254 |
| 1999 | 123,047,320 |
| 2000 | 126,382,494 |
| 2001 | 129,862,595 |
| 2002 | 133,471,989 |
| 2003 | 137,202,644 |
| 2004 | 141,057,045 |
| 2005 | 145,017,253 |
| 2006 | 149,077,334 |
| 2007 | 153,267,261 |
| 2008 | 157,595,014 |
| 2009 | 162,049,464 |
| 2010 | 166,642,886 |
| 2011 | 171,379,598 |
| 2012 | 176,200,625 |
| 2013 | 181,049,443 |
| 2014 | 185,896,915 |
| 2015 | 190,671,878 |
| 2016 | 195,443,700 |
| 2017 | 200,254,579 |
| 2018 | 204,938,755 |
| 2019 | 209,485,641 |
| 2020 | 213,996,181 |
| 2021 | 218,529,286 |
| 2022 | 223,150,896 |
| 2023 | 227,882,945 |
| 2024 | 232,679,478 |
| 2025 | 237,527,782 |
| 2026 | 242,431,832 |
| 2027 | 247,374,263 |
| 2028 | 252,346,128 |
| 2029 | 257,352,638 |
| 2030 | 262,380,970 |
| 2031 | 267,421,074 |
| 2032 | 272,483,642 |
| 2033 | 277,555,115 |
| 2034 | 282,622,397 |
| 2035 | 287,685,763 |
| 2036 | 292,739,396 |
| 2037 | 297,773,244 |
| 2038 | 302,782,358 |
| 2039 | 307,764,756 |
| 2040 | 312,710,416 |
| 2041 | 317,607,244 |
| 2042 | 322,450,309 |
| 2043 | 327,243,939 |
| 2044 | 331,983,358 |
| 2045 | 336,662,502 |
| 2046 | 341,281,763 |
| 2047 | 345,844,009 |
| 2048 | 350,347,769 |
| 2049 | 354,792,425 |
| 2050 | 359,185,556 |
Source:
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024)
World Population Prospects 2024 – https://population.un.org/wpp/
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