Nigeria's Rapidly Growing Population

Nigeria is currently Africa's most populous nation. As of 2021, its population is estimated to be over 211 million.[5]

children in white tank top sitting on brown wooden bench

But Nigeria is projected to overtake China as the world's second-largest population, with an estimated 791 million by the end of this century[1]. It is also expected to have a larger population than the US by 2050[2].

Nigeria is growing more rapidly than any other country among the ten largest countries worldwide[3]. Its population growth is also higher than the global average. Their global population growth is 1.05% per year[6], with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing a growth rate of 2.6%[7], and it is expected to gain the most people by 2100[4].

Nigeria's rapid population growth can be attributed to several factors, including high birth rates, improved life expectancy, and increased access to healthcare[8]. As the country continues to develop and modernize, its population is expected to grow steadily.

Population growth presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria. On the one hand, a large population can mean a larger workforce, which can benefit economic growth. On the other hand, providing necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare to such a large population can be a challenge.

It will be interesting to see how Nigeria manages this growth in the coming years and whether it can harness the potential benefits while mitigating the challenges.

Sources:

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