People & economy

Nigeria: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Nigeria: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Wang-gp CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Population & Geography

Population
195,874,740
#7 of 197 countries
Area
923,768 km²
#33 of 248 countries
Density
212.0 / km²
#66 of 245 countries

Nigeria has a population of 195,874,740 spread across 923,768 km², giving it an average density of 212.0 people per km². It ranks among the 20 most populous countries in the world. This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
19.4
Life Expectancy
62.2 yrs
Literacy Rate
63.2%
Government
federal presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Nigeria is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 25% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$2,139
Cost of Living
25% of US
Inflation
24.7%
Inequality
35.1
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$5,700
Unemployment
3.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 0.8% of Nigeria's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$321,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
0.8%
Air Passengers
5,269,404
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Nigeria there are 0.38 doctors per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.38/1k
Hospital Beds
0.5/1k
Health Spend
$67/person
Infant Mortality
60.1/1k
Immunization
57%
Safe Drinking Water
82.3%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
47.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Nigeria, 39% of the population uses the internet, so connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 98 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
39.2%
Mobile Subs
98/100
Broadband
0.1/100
Electricity Access
61.2%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data