Nigeria Population Live (2026)
The live population of Nigeria, updated every second — with births today, deaths today, growth rate and key facts about one of the largest countries on Earth.
Nigeria has an estimated population of about 229.2 million people in 2026 — 2.78% of the roughly 8.25 billion people on Earth, and the 6th largest of the 72 countries tracked on LiveHumans. The counter above starts from our 1 January 2026 estimate and adds births and subtracts deaths every second, using Nigeria's latest birth rate (35.9 per 1,000 people a year) and death rate (8.7 per 1,000).
Is the population of Nigeria growing?
Yes. Around 22,539 babies are born in Nigeria every day — about 939 an hour — while around 5,462 people die. That leaves a natural increase of roughly 17,077 people a day, or about 6.2 million a year: a growth rate of 2.72% before migration. At that pace the population would double in roughly 26 years. Nigeria has the 3rd fastest natural growth of the 72 countries we track.
A birth rate of 35.9 per 1,000 people is very high by global standards — close to double the world average of about 16.9 — and is typical of countries where families are large and the population is very young. It ranks 3rd of 72 for birth rate on LiveHumans.
These figures count births and deaths only. Migration moves Nigeria's real population up or down each year, which is why official census figures can differ from our estimate.
Births and deaths in Nigeria
| Period | Births | Deaths | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per minute | 15.7 | 3.8 | 11.9 |
| Per hour | 939 | 228 | 712 |
| Per day | 22,539 | 5,462 | 17,077 |
| Per week | 157,770 | 38,234 | 119,536 |
| Per year | 8,226,565 | 1,993,624 | 6,232,940 |
How crowded is Nigeria?
With about 229.2 million people living on 923,768 km², Nigeria has roughly 248.1 people per square kilometre. That is around 4.1 times the world average of about 61 per km², making it the 12th most densely populated of the 72 countries we track. High density puts pressure on housing, transport and farmland, but it also makes cities and services cheaper to run per person.
Life expectancy in Nigeria
A baby born in Nigeria today can expect to live about 55.2 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3. That is well below the world average (72nd of 72). Higher child mortality, infectious disease and limited healthcare pull the average down — although life expectancy has been rising. Want a personal estimate? Try our life expectancy calculator.
Income and population
With GDP of about $2,197 per person (61st of 72), Nigeria is a lower-income country. As incomes, education and access to healthcare rise, birth rates almost always fall — which is why the UN expects growth here to slow over the coming decades.
Nigeria at a glance
| Fact | Value | Rank (of 72) |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026 est.) | 229,152,217 | 6 |
| Births per day | 22,539 | 3 |
| Deaths per day | 5,462 | 5 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 35.9 | 3 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 8.7 | 25 |
| Natural growth rate | 2.72% / year | 3 |
| Life expectancy | 55.2 years | 72 |
| Population density | 248.1 / km² | 12 |
| GDP per person | $2,197 | 61 |
| Area | 923,768 km² | — |
| Capital | Abuja | — |
| Languages | English | — |
| Currency | Nigerian Naira (₦) | — |
Compare with other countries
See all countries on our population by country page, or watch the whole planet on the live world population counter.
How we calculate Nigeria's live population
No country counts its people every second, so this page is an estimate. We start from a population figure for 1 January 2026 based on United Nations and World Bank data, then use Nigeria's crude birth rate and crude death rate — the number of births and deaths per 1,000 people per year — to work out how many people are born and die each second. The counter simply adds those up in real time. Because migration is not included, and because rates change from year to year, treat the figure as a close estimate rather than an exact count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Nigeria in 2026?
The population of Nigeria in 2026 is estimated at about 229.2 million people, which is around 2.78% of the world's population. The live counter on this page adds births and subtracts deaths every second.
How many babies are born in Nigeria every day?
About 22,539 babies are born in Nigeria every day — roughly 939 per hour, or 8.2 million per year — based on a birth rate of 35.9 per 1,000 people.
How many people die in Nigeria every day?
About 5,462 people die in Nigeria every day — roughly 228 per hour, or 2.0 million per year — based on a death rate of 8.7 per 1,000 people.
Is the population of Nigeria growing or shrinking?
Growing. Births exceed deaths by about 17,077 people a day, a natural growth rate of 2.72% a year before migration.
What is the life expectancy in Nigeria?
Life expectancy at birth in Nigeria is about 55.2 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3 years.
How accurate is this Nigeria population counter?
It is a statistical estimate, not a live headcount. We start from a 1 January 2026 population estimate based on UN and World Bank data and apply Nigeria's annual birth and death rates second by second. Migration is not included, so official figures may differ slightly.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Estimates based on UN World Population Prospects and World Bank data.