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In 2026, Nigeria's population stands at 242,431,832. That is a 7-fold increase on the 37,283,010 recorded in 1950. It is growing at +2.03% a year, one of the faster rates globally, adding about 4.9M people a year. Settlement is fairly dense, at 266 people/km². Half the population is younger than 18.3 years, and the age structure is steadily tilting older: the median is projected to reach 23.9 by 2050. The sexes are close to evenly balanced, at 102 males per 100 females. By 2100, UN projections put it at 476,747,781, up +97% from 2026.
Total population
242,431,832
Density
266 people/km²
Median age
18.3 years
Growth rate
+2.03%
Nigeria is experiencing rapid population growth, adding millions of people each year. The population is aging rapidly; median age will rise from 18 in 2026 to 24 by 2050. UN projections show continued growth to 476.7M by 2100.