Nigeria vs Brazil: population comparison
Current population of Nigeria
242,935,504
Live estimate, extrapolated from the latest official figures
- Births today
- 4,400
- Deaths today
- 1,576
- Change today (UTC)
- +2,793
Current population of Brazil
213,712,670
Live estimate, extrapolated from the latest official figures
- Births today
- 1,472
- Deaths today
- 857
- Change today (UTC)
- +464
Nigeria has a population of 237,527,782 and Brazil has 212,812,405 (2025 estimates). Nigeria is currently larger by 24,715,377 people — about 1.1 times Brazil's population. They rank 6 and 7 in the world respectively.
Their trajectories differ: Nigeria grows at +2.06% per year versus +0.38% for Brazil. At current rates the balance between them keeps shifting.
The lead has changed hands: Nigeria overtook Brazil in 2019, according to the historical series.
Beyond size, the structures differ: Nigeria is the younger society (median age 18.1 vs 34.8); Nigeria is far more crowded at 250 people per km² against 25.
Nigeria vs Brazil population, 1960–2025
Side by side
| Indicator | Nigeria | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 237,527,782 | 212,812,405 |
| Annual growth | +2.06% | +0.38% |
| Yearly change | +4,848,304 | +813,832 |
| Density (P/km²) | 250 | 25 |
| Land area (km²) | 910,770 | 8,358,140 |
| Median age | 18.1 yrs | 34.8 yrs |
| Fertility rate | 4.38 | 1.61 |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 yrs | 76.0 yrs |
| Urban population | 64% | 88% |
| World share | 2.89% | 2.59% |
| 2050 projection (UN) | 359,185,556 | 217,489,300 |
Latest World Bank estimates; median age and 2050 projections from UN WPP 2024. Full profiles: Nigeria · Brazil
Nigeria vs Brazil FAQ
Is Nigeria bigger than Brazil by population?
Nigeria currently has the larger population: 237,527,782 versus 212,812,405 (2025 estimates) — a gap of 24.72 million people.
When did Nigeria overtake Brazil in population?
Nigeria passed Brazil in 2019, based on the countries' official population series.
Which grows faster, Nigeria or Brazil?
Nigeria currently grows faster: +2.06% per year versus +0.38%.
How do Nigeria and Brazil compare in 2050?
UN medium-variant projections put Nigeria at 359,185,556 and Brazil at 217,489,300 in 2050.