This article is about the demographic features of the population of Nigeria, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria accounts for approximately one-sixth of Africa's people. Approximately 50% of Nigerians are urban dwellers. At least 24 cities have populations of more than 100,000. The variety of customs, languages, and traditions among Nigeria's 389 ethnic groups gives the country a cultural diversity.
Census figures are used to determine regional funding and representation of ethnic and religious groups in government service. This provides an incentive for inflating local populations. On the other hand, some academics believe the figures given below by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are a serious under-estimate.
Professor JG Ottong, a social scientist at the University of Calabar, explained that population has been a sensitive and controversial issue "because of its implications for shaping regional, state and ethnic relations and balance of power". In the past, census figures were believed to have been manipulated for political advantage.[1]
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The most numerous ethnic group in the northern two-thirds of the country is the Hausa-Fulani,the overwhelming majority of whom are Muslim. Other major ethnic groups of the north are the Nupe, Tiv, and Kanuri. The Yoruba people are the most numerous in the southwest. Over half of the Yorubas are Christian and about a quarter are Muslim, with the remainder hold traditional Yoruba views. The predominantly Christian Igbo are the largest ethnic group in the southeast. Roman Catholics are the largest denomination, but Pentecostal and other Evangelical denominations are also strong. The Efik, Ibibio, Annang, and Ijaw (the country's fourth-largest ethnic group) communities also comprise a substantial segment of the population in that area. Persons of different language backgrounds most commonly communicate in English, although knowledge of two or more Nigerian languages is widespread. Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are the most widely used Nigerian languages.
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.
Population: 155,215,573 (July 2011 est.)
Nigeria has been experiencing a population explosion for at least the last 50 years due to very high fertility rates, quadrupling its population during this time.
According to the United Nations, the population of Nigeria will reach 390 million by 2050. In 2100, the population of Nigeria will reach 730 million.[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Nigeria will reach 402 million by 2050. Nigeria will then be the 4th most populous country in the world.[3]
0–14 years: 44% (male 27,181,020; female 26,872,317)
15–64 years: 53% (male 33,495,794; female 32,337,193)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,729,149; female 1,722,349) (2000 est.)
0–14 years: 41.5% (male 31,624,050/female 30,242,637)
15–64 years: 55.5% (male 42,240,641/female 40,566,672)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 2,211,840/female 2,343,250) (2010 est.)
0-14 years: 40.9% (male 32,476,681/female 31,064,539)
15-64 years: 55.9% (male 44,296,228/female 42,534,542)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 2,341,228/female 2,502,355) (2011 est.)
Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%[4], Yoruba 21%[4], Igbo 18%[4], Ijaw 6.5%, Yakurr 4%, Ibibio 4.5%, Kanuri 4%[4], Annang 3.5%, Etsakor 2.2%, Tiv 2.5%[4], Efik 2%. These percentages are estimates, based on the number of settlements, including the number of towns, villages, hamlets and cities, with information supplied by the Nigeria postal service. Although, these estimates have come under opposition by those who believe the ethnic group population counts have been tampered with for ethnic numerical superiority.[5][6][7]
In the absence of an up to date census, other population figures do not follow scientific procedures. Only these are backed by settlement figures provided by the government.
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Efik (Annang/Ibibio/Efik), Ijaw, Edo, Etsako, Esan, Benis and others.
Today millions of ethnic Nigerians live abroad, the largest communities can be found in the United Kingdom (200,000- 500,000)[9] and the United States (165,000 Nigerians). There are also large groups in Canada, Portugal and many other countries.
Nigeria is nearly equally divided between Christianity and Islam. The majority of Nigerian Muslims are Sunni and are concentrated in the northern area of the country, while Christians dominate in the Middle Belt and south.
According to a 2009 Pew survey 50.4% of Nigeria's population were Muslims[10]. Another Pew study in 2011 estimated that Christians form the majority of the nation, comprising 50.8% of the population[11]. Adherents of other religions make up 1.4% of the population.[12]
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