Urban Population: Nigeria
Nigeria's urban population is currently 63.0% as of 2024. # Nigeria Urban Population Nigeria's urban population reached 62.
Current (2024)
63.0%
+1.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
63.0%
Low (1960)
14.2%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Nigeria
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Nigeria
Analysis# Nigeria Urban Population
Nigeria's urban population reached 62.976% in 2024, marking an all-time high and representing a dramatic shift from the nation's 14.232% urbanization rate in 1960. Over this 64-year span, the urban share increased by 342.5%, reflecting one of Africa's most rapid urbanization trajectories. The current figure approaches two-thirds of Nigeria's total population living in urban areas, a transformation driven by rural-to-urban migration and natural population growth.
The consistent upward trend accelerated notably from 2015 onward, with urbanization climbing from 55.733% to 62.976% in just nine years. Year-over-year growth has remained steady at approximately 0.8 percentage points annually since 2015, suggesting continued urban concentration. Nigeria's urbanization pattern underscores ongoing economic shifts toward urban centers, though this growth presents substantial infrastructure and service delivery challenges for the nation's cities.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63.0% | +1.29% |
| 2023 | 62.2% | +1.31% |
| 2022 | 61.4% | +1.33% |
| 2021 | 60.6% | +1.35% |
| 2020 | 59.8% | +1.37% |
| 2019 | 59.0% | +1.39% |
| 2018 | 58.2% | +1.41% |
| 2017 | 57.3% | +1.43% |
| 2016 | 56.5% | +1.45% |
| 2015 | 55.7% | +1.47% |
| 2014 | 54.9% | +1.50% |
| 2013 | 54.1% | +1.52% |
| 2012 | 53.3% | +1.55% |
| 2011 | 52.5% | +1.57% |
| 2010 | 51.7% | +1.60% |
| 2009 | 50.9% | +1.63% |
| 2008 | 50.1% | +1.66% |
| 2007 | 49.2% | +1.68% |
| 2006 | 48.4% | +1.80% |
| 2005 | 47.6% | +1.86% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 46.7% | +1.88% |
| 2003 | 45.8% | +1.91% |
| 2002 | 45.0% | +1.93% |
| 2001 | 44.1% | +1.96% |
| 2000 | 43.3% | +1.98% |
| 1999 | 42.4% | +2.01% |
| 1998 | 41.6% | +2.03% |
| 1997 | 40.8% | +2.06% |
| 1996 | 40.0% | +2.08% |
| 1995 | 39.1% | +2.10% |
| 1994 | 38.3% | +2.12% |
| 1993 | 37.5% | +2.14% |
| 1992 | 36.7% | +2.17% |
| 1991 | 36.0% | +2.21% |
| 1990 | 35.2% | +2.27% |
| 1989 | 34.4% | +2.33% |
| 1988 | 33.6% | +2.38% |
| 1987 | 32.8% | +2.44% |
| 1986 | 32.1% | +2.50% |
| 1985 | 31.3% | +2.55% |
| 1984 | 30.5% | +2.61% |
| 1983 | 29.7% | +2.67% |
| 1982 | 28.9% | +2.73% |
| 1981 | 28.2% | +2.79% |
| 1980 | 27.4% | +2.84% |
| 1979 | 26.7% | +2.90% |
| 1978 | 25.9% | +2.96% |
| 1977 | 25.2% | +3.01% |
| 1976 | 24.4% | +3.07% |
| 1975 | 23.7% | +3.12% |
| 1974 | 23.0% | +3.18% |
| 1973 | 22.3% | +3.23% |
| 1972 | 21.6% | +3.28% |
| 1971 | 20.9% | +3.33% |
| 1970 | 20.2% | +3.37% |
| 1969 | 19.6% | +3.42% |
| 1968 | 18.9% | +3.45% |
| 1967 | 18.3% | +3.48% |
| 1966 | 17.7% | +3.51% |
| 1965 | 17.1% | +3.52% |
| 1964 | 16.5% | +3.56% |
| 1963 | 15.9% | +3.67% |
| 1962 | 15.4% | +3.82% |
| 1961 | 14.8% | +3.92% |
| 1960 | 14.2% | — |
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