By Abigail Philip David
A recent United Nations report, as estimated by Worldometer, projects Nigeria’s population to reach 237,527,782 by 2025. This marks an increase of over 2.4 million from the 235,072,214 recorded in December 2024 and reflects a population growth of 4.8 million between 2023 and 2024.
Global Ranking and Urbanization
The report places Nigeria as the sixth most populous country in the world, accounting for 2.85% of the global population. It highlights significant urbanization trends, with 53.9% of Nigerians—approximately 125,447,884 people in 2024—living in urban areas.
Among the most populous cities in Nigeria are:
– Lagos: 15,388,000
– Kano: 4,910,000
– Ibadan: 3,649,000
– Abuja: 2,690,000
– Port Harcourt: 2,120,000
Population Density and Land Area
Nigeria’s population density stands at 255 people per square kilometer (662 per square mile), with a total land area of 910,770 square kilometers (351,650 square miles).
Demographic Insights
The report also sheds light on key demographic metrics:
– Median Age: 17.9 years
– Life Expectancy at Birth: 54.6 years (54.9 years for females and 54.3 years for males)
Global Perspective
The U.S. Census Bureau released corresponding global population data, noting that the world population is expected to reach 8.09 billion by January 1, 2025. This represents an increase of 71 million people in 2024, a slight slowdown from the 75 million rise recorded in 2023.
With a rapidly growing population, Nigeria’s demographic trends continue to draw global attention, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to address urbanization, resource management, and economic development.
