Nigeria vs Japan: 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 Japan
122,696,542
Live estimate, extrapolated from the latest official figures
- Births today
- 400
- Deaths today
- 935
- Change today (UTC)
- −346
Nigeria has a population of 237,527,782 and Japan has 123,366,734 (2025 estimates). Nigeria is currently larger by 114,161,048 people — about 1.9 times Japan's population. They rank 6 and 12 in the world respectively.
Their trajectories differ: Nigeria grows at +2.06% per year versus −0.49% for Japan. One population is expanding while the other shrinks — the gap between them widens every year.
The lead has changed hands: Nigeria overtook Japan in 2001, according to the historical series.
Beyond size, the structures differ: Nigeria is the younger society (median age 18.1 vs 49.8); Japan is far more crowded at 342 people per km² against 250.
Nigeria vs Japan population, 1960–2025
Side by side
| Indicator | Nigeria | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 237,527,782 | 123,366,734 |
| Annual growth | +2.06% | −0.49% |
| Yearly change | +4,848,304 | −608,637 |
| Density (P/km²) | 250 | 342 |
| Land area (km²) | 910,770 | 364,569 |
| Median age | 18.1 yrs | 49.8 yrs |
| Fertility rate | 4.38 | 1.15 |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 yrs | 84.0 yrs |
| Urban population | 64% | 92% |
| World share | 2.89% | 1.50% |
| 2050 projection (UN) | 359,185,556 | 105,123,167 |
Latest World Bank estimates; median age and 2050 projections from UN WPP 2024. Full profiles: Nigeria · Japan
Nigeria vs Japan FAQ
Is Nigeria bigger than Japan by population?
Nigeria currently has the larger population: 237,527,782 versus 123,366,734 (2025 estimates) — a gap of 114.16 million people.
When did Nigeria overtake Japan in population?
Nigeria passed Japan in 2001, based on the countries' official population series.
Which grows faster, Nigeria or Japan?
Nigeria currently grows faster: +2.06% per year versus −0.49%.
How do Nigeria and Japan compare in 2050?
UN medium-variant projections put Nigeria at 359,185,556 and Japan at 105,123,167 in 2050.