Nigeria's population hits 244m as fertility remains high despite decades of decline

…Country adds over 200m people in 70 years 

…Average births per woman falls from 6.85 to 4.94 

…Population surge raises pressure on healthcare, jobs, housing

By Seun Greeners 

Nigeria's population has exploded to more than 244 million, nearly six times its size 70 years ago, even as the average number of children born to a woman has declined over the decades, presenting the country with a growing demographic and development challenge.

From about 41 million people in 1955, Nigeria's population has climbed to an estimated 244.3 million, according to Worldometer, reflecting one of the most dramatic demographic expansions in the country's history.

The figures show that Nigeria added more than 203 million people between 1955 and 2026. Yet, behind this remarkable growth is a gradual change in the country's fertility pattern, with the average number of children per woman falling from 6.36 in 1960 to 4.94 in 2025, according to data from Macrotrends.

The decline, however, has not been sufficient to slow population expansion significantly, as Nigeria continues to record high fertility alongside a large and growing population of young people entering their reproductive years.

Macrotrends data show that Nigeria's fertility rate actually increased from 6.36 children per woman in 1960 to a peak of 6.85 in 1980, before beginning a prolonged decline.

It fell to 6.46 in 1990, 6.12 in 2000 and 5.95 in 2010. The decline became more pronounced in the following decade, dropping from 5.50 in 2015 to 4.70 in 2020 and 4.48 in 2023.

However, the figures recorded a reversal, rising to 5.01 in 2024 before settling at 4.94 in 2025. The movement raises questions about the pace and consistency of fertility decline, although the figures alone do not establish the reasons for the change.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's population has continued to climb. From 45 million in 1960, it rose to 73.8 million in 1980, crossed the 100 million mark in the early 1990s and reached 126.4 million in 2000.

The growth accelerated further, with the population increasing to 145 million in 2005, 166.6 million in 2010, 190.7 million in 2015 and nearly 214 million in 2020.

By 2025, it had reached 237.5 million, while the latest Worldometer estimate puts the figure at 244,292,365.

The contrast between declining fertility and continuing population growth is important. Population momentum means that even when women have fewer children on average, a large number of people entering reproductive age can sustain rapid population growth for decades.

The demographic expansion presents enormous opportunities, particularly if the growing population is healthy, educated, skilled and productively engaged. But it also raises difficult questions about the country's capacity to provide adequate healthcare, quality education, decent housing, jobs, food, water and other basic necessities.

For the health sector, the implications are particularly significant. A rapidly expanding population means greater demand for maternal and child healthcare, family planning, immunisation, reproductive health services, disease prevention, hospitals, medical personnel and essential medicines.

The persistently high fertility rate also means that millions of Nigerian women will continue to require access to quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services and postpartum care.

Without corresponding investments in health infrastructure and workforce development, population growth could deepen existing inequalities in access to healthcare, particularly for women, children and vulnerable communities.

The figures also bring renewed attention to reproductive health and family planning. Improving access to voluntary family planning services, reliable contraceptive information and quality reproductive healthcare will be important in enabling individuals and couples to make informed decisions about the timing and number of children they have.

Beyond healthcare, the pressure is evident in expanding urban centres, rising demand for affordable housing, overcrowded schools, unemployment and the need to create opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

Nigeria's demographic trajectory therefore presents a critical question: can the country expand its investments in health, education, infrastructure and economic opportunities fast enough to match the needs of its growing population?

The answer could determine whether its demographic expansion becomes an economic advantage or a growing burden on already stretched public services.