Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Nigeria

Nigeria: Distribution of population between different poverty lines was 8.89 million people in 2022. β–² Rising

Latest (2022)
8.89 million people
World rank
51st
of 120 countries
All-time high
15.16 million people
in 2015
All-time low
4.25 million people
in 1985
Years of data
9
1985–2022

Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Nigeria, 1985–2022

5.0M7.5M10.0M12.5M15.0M1985200320221985: 4.2M people1992: 6.0M people1996: 6.8M people2003: 6.3M people2010: 11.5M people2012: 12.6M people2015: 15.2M people2018: 14.0M people2022: 8.9M people

Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.

Analysis

The most recent figure for distribution of population between different poverty lines in Nigeria is 8.89 million people, measured in 2022.

The figure is down 29.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, distribution of population between different poverty lines in Nigeria peaked at 15.16 million people in 2015 and was at its lowest, 4.25 million people, in 1985.

Nigeria ranks 51st of 120 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 4.25 million people 4.25 million people 4.25 million people 1
1990s 6.40 million people 5.98 million people 6.82 million people 2
2000s 6.33 million people 6.33 million people 6.33 million people 1
2010s 13.30 million people 11.50 million people 15.16 million people 4
2020s 8.89 million people 8.89 million people 8.89 million people 1

Countries ranked near Nigeria

  1. 48 Austria 9.03 million people compare
  2. 49 Hungary 8.99 million people compare
  3. 50 Israel 8.92 million people compare
  4. 52 Belarus 8.77 million people compare
  5. 53 Switzerland 8.75 million people compare
  6. 54 Tunisia 8.27 million people compare

See the full ranking of 120 places β†’

More poverty & inequality data for Nigeria

All data for Nigeria β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is distribution of population between different poverty lines in Nigeria?
Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Nigeria was 8.89 million people in 2022, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest distribution of population between different poverty lines recorded in Nigeria?
The highest recorded value was 15.16 million people in 2015.
What is the lowest distribution of population between different poverty lines recorded in Nigeria?
The lowest recorded value was 4.25 million people in 1985.
How does Nigeria rank for distribution of population between different poverty lines?
Nigeria ranks 51st out of 120 countries with data for 2022.
Is distribution of population between different poverty lines rising or falling in Nigeria?
Over the last ten years it is down 29.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Nigeria data come from?
The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of population between different poverty lines. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Distribution of population between different poverty lines
Unit
people
Source
World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
120 places, 2,148 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed

Number of people living in households with an income or consumption above $10 per day.