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Nigeria vs Papua New Guinea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a population of 233M (ranked 6/197), compared with 10.6M in Papua New Guinea (ranked 92/197). Nigeria's land area is 351,650 sq mi versus 174,850 sq mi for Papua New Guinea (ranked 30th vs. 54th).

By GDP, Nigeria ranks 54/197 ($252B) and Papua New Guinea ranks 110/197 ($31.8B). By GDP per capita, Nigeria ranks 174/197 ($1,084), while Papua New Guinea ranks 140/197 ($3,007).

Main facts and rankings

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Population
243824469
11002753
Population rank 6/197 89/197
GDP
$252B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank 54/197 110/197
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank 174/197 140/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$4,875
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank 170/185 129/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$2,362
2026
Land area 351,650 sq mi 174,850 sq mi
Population density
690 ppl/mi²
2026
62.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.48
2023
3.1
2023
Median age
19 years
2024
23.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
55 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

Nigeria and Papua New Guinea: Comparison Charts

Nigeria and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 $252,261,880,141 $31,800,428,266
2023 $487,387,801,881 $30,816,367,067
2022 $646,950,257,578 $31,653,185,953
2021 $609,147,716,973 $26,109,413,521
2020 $598,586,817,819 $23,848,447,850
2019 $668,219,992,691 $24,750,626,030
2018 $421,739,251,509 $24,109,780,708
2017 $375,745,731,053 $22,742,699,138
2016 $404,649,125,252 $20,758,876,953
2015 $493,026,682,801 $21,723,437,010
2014 $574,183,763,412 $23,210,823,987
2013 $520,117,180,314 $21,261,338,065
2012 $463,971,018,239 $21,295,168,666
2011 $414,466,676,831 $17,985,138,066
2010 $366,990,417,129 $14,250,786,675
2009 $295,008,835,381 $11,619,456,449
2008 $339,476,276,258 $11,670,892,801
2007 $278,260,846,800 $9,545,028,944
2006 $238,454,997,161 $8,354,911,041
2005 $175,670,569,969 $4,865,892,972
2004 $135,764,731,646 $3,927,157,867
2003 $104,738,954,264 $3,536,411,824
2002 $95,054,059,303 $2,999,511,040
2001 $73,557,840,064 $3,081,024,212
2000 $69,171,451,627 $3,521,339,699
1999 $59,145,077,039 $3,477,038,204
1998 $218,416,200,673 $3,789,443,015
1997 $200,850,397,618 $4,936,615,299
1996 $185,730,236,700 $5,155,311,077
1995 $140,919,776,986 $4,636,057,476
1994 $80,399,613,064 $5,502,786,070
1993 $56,721,051,402 $4,974,550,286
1992 $52,058,181,854 $4,377,980,510
1991 $59,526,833,412 $3,787,394,958
1990 $54,035,795,388 $3,219,729,083
1989 $44,003,061,108 $3,546,472,566
1988 $49,648,470,440 $3,656,177,881
1987 $52,676,041,931 $3,143,851,794
1986 $54,805,852,581 $2,647,995,602
1985 $73,745,821,158 $2,423,339,172
1984 $73,484,359,521 $2,552,662,617
1983 $97,094,911,792 $2,562,351,551
1982 $142,769,363,314 $2,368,719,683
1981 $164,475,209,516 $2,498,190,847
1980 $64,201,788,123 $2,545,808,456
1979 $47,259,911,894 $2,293,760,511
1978 $36,527,862,209 $1,947,878,831
1977 $36,035,407,725 $1,640,746,619
1976 $36,308,883,249 $1,511,843,235
1975 $27,778,934,625 $1,356,603,608
1974 $24,846,641,318 $1,467,417,672
1973 $15,162,871,287 $1,299,079,410
1972 $12,274,416,018 $858,761,926
1971 $9,181,769,912 $717,750,278
1970 $12,546,094,982 $645,568,215
1969 $6,634,317,346 $551,263,864
1968 $5,200,997,920 $485,184,190
1967 $5,203,237,919 $441,728,183
1966 $6,366,917,453 $390,992,063
1965 $5,874,537,650 $344,176,055
1964 $5,552,931,319 $305,312,049
1963 $5,165,590,254 $275,968,044
1962 $4,909,399,176 $261,184,042
1961 $4,467,287,893 $244,832,039
1960 $4,196,174,502 $230,496,037

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nigeria and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP per capita
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 $1,084 $3,007
2023 $2,139 $2,966
2022 $2,899 $3,102
2021 $2,787 $2,608
2020 $2,797 $2,430
2019 $3,190 $2,576
2018 $2,058 $2,566
2017 $1,876 $2,478
2016 $2,070 $2,316
2015 $2,586 $2,485
2014 $3,089 $2,723
2013 $2,873 $2,561
2012 $2,633 $2,635
2011 $2,418 $2,288
2010 $2,202 $1,867
2009 $1,820 $1,569
2008 $2,154 $1,625
2007 $1,816 $1,371
2006 $1,600 $1,238
2005 $1,211 $744
2004 $962 $621
2003 $763 $577
2002 $712 $506
2001 $566 $538
2000 $547 $636
1999 $481 $650
1998 $1,822 $733
1997 $1,720 $990
1996 $1,633 $1,071
1995 $1,272 $998
1994 $745 $1,228
1993 $540 $1,151
1992 $509 $1,051
1991 $597 $942
1990 $556 $826
1989 $465 $934
1988 $540 $985
1987 $588 $865
1986 $628 $745
1985 $869 $697
1984 $890 $750
1983 $1,207 $769
1982 $1,822 $726
1981 $2,162 $781
1980 $870 $813
1979 $661 $748
1978 $527 $648
1977 $536 $558
1976 $556 $525
1975 $438 $482
1974 $403 $533
1973 $252.4 $483
1972 $209.5 $327
1971 $160.5 $279.7
1970 $224.5 $257.6
1969 $121.4 $225.3
1968 $97.3 $202.9
1967 $99.5 $189
1966 $124.4 $171.1
1965 $117.3 $153.9
1964 $113.3 $139.5
1963 $107.7 $128.9
1962 $104.5 $124.7
1961 $97.1 $119.7
1960 $93.1 $115.5

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nigeria vs. Papua New Guinea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2026 55 66.5
2025 54.8 66.4
2024 54.6 66.3
2023 54.5 66.1
2022 54.1 65.3
2021 53.5 64.4
2020 53.1 65.1
2019 53 65.3
2018 52.7 65.1
2017 52.4 64.9
2016 52.2 64.7
2015 51.9 64.5
2014 51.9 64.2
2013 51.8 63.9
2012 51.7 63.6
2011 51.5 63.4
2010 51.3 63.1
2009 51.1 62.8
2008 50.7 62.5
2007 50.4 62.2
2006 49.9 62
2005 49.5 61.9
2004 49.1 61.8
2003 48.6 61.7
2002 48 61.6
2001 47.5 61.6
2000 47.1 61.6
1999 46.6 61.5
1998 46.1 60.4
1997 46 61.3
1996 45.8 61.1
1995 45.9 60.9
1994 45.7 60.7
1993 45.8 60.5
1992 45.6 60.3
1991 45.5 59.9
1990 45.7 59.8
1989 45.8 59.6
1988 45.8 59.4
1987 45.9 59.2
1986 46 59
1985 46.2 58.8
1984 46.3 58.6
1983 46.4 58.3
1982 46.4 58.1
1981 46.3 57.8
1980 46 57.4
1979 45.7 57
1978 45.3 56.5
1977 44.8 56
1976 44.2 55.5
1975 43.1 55
1974 42.5 54.4
1973 41.8 53.9
1972 41.3 53.3
1971 40.6 52.6
1970 40 52.1
1969 38.9 51.5
1968 38.6 50.9
1967 37.5 50.2
1966 38.4 49.6
1965 38.2 48.9
1964 38 48.3
1963 37.8 47.7
1962 37.6 46.7
1961 37.4 46.4
1960 37.2 45.8
1959 37 45.1
1958 36.8 44.6
1957 36.6 43.9
1956 36.5 43.3
1955 36.3 42.6
1954 36.2 42
1953 36 41.3
1952 35.9 40.7
1951 35.7 35.5
1950 35.5 39.4

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nigeria and Papua New Guinea population clocks and comparison

Population
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Population
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 232,679,478 10,576,502
2023 227,882,945 10,389,635
2022 223,150,896 10,203,169
2021 218,529,286 10,012,896
2020 213,996,181 9,815,746
2019 209,485,641 9,609,010
2018 204,938,755 9,394,513
2017 200,254,579 9,178,714
2016 195,443,700 8,961,718
2015 190,671,878 8,743,246
2014 185,896,915 8,523,441
2013 181,049,443 8,302,698
2012 176,200,625 8,081,390
2011 171,379,598 7,859,346
2010 166,642,886 7,633,523
2009 162,049,464 7,406,438
2008 157,595,014 7,183,002
2007 153,267,261 6,963,345
2006 149,077,334 6,747,720
2005 145,017,253 6,535,905
2004 141,057,045 6,328,041
2003 137,202,644 6,123,997
2002 133,471,989 5,924,003
2001 129,862,595 5,728,435
2000 126,382,494 5,537,064
1999 123,047,320 5,349,333
1998 119,846,254 5,166,390
1997 116,754,792 4,987,883
1996 113,754,779 4,813,361
1995 110,819,428 4,644,278
1994 107,935,714 4,480,208
1993 105,122,069 4,320,872
1992 102,372,770 4,166,699
1991 99,720,162 4,021,837
1990 97,120,925 3,896,481
1989 94,531,014 3,796,078
1988 92,020,090 3,711,880
1987 89,591,716 3,632,543
1986 87,235,953 3,554,793
1985 84,897,973 3,478,936
1984 82,526,443 3,405,198
1983 80,438,260 3,333,633
1982 78,378,701 3,264,291
1981 76,068,103 3,197,019
1980 73,764,641 3,131,512
1979 71,498,242 3,067,341
1978 69,326,532 3,003,714
1977 67,234,590 2,940,327
1976 65,258,009 2,877,327
1975 63,410,815 2,814,820
1974 61,679,144 2,752,671
1973 60,082,139 2,690,629
1972 58,601,748 2,628,432
1971 57,214,684 2,566,421
1970 55,893,838 2,505,628
1969 54,631,914 2,446,927
1968 53,432,783 2,390,803
1967 52,293,065 2,337,532
1966 51,188,234 2,285,774
1965 50,086,764 2,235,820
1964 49,012,016 2,188,325
1963 47,973,575 2,141,376
1962 46,965,292 2,093,919
1961 45,989,310 2,046,127
1960 45,053,782 1,995,110

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea

Fertility rate
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2023 4.48 3.1
2022 4.55 3.17
2021 4.64 3.22
2020 4.7 3.27
2019 4.86 3.32
2018 5.02 3.38
2017 5.18 3.43
2016 5.34 3.5
2015 5.5 3.56
2014 5.62 3.63
2013 5.69 3.68
2012 5.8 3.75
2011 5.89 3.82
2010 5.95 3.88
2009 5.99 3.94
2008 6.02 4.01
2007 6.03 4.08
2006 6.05 4.15
2005 6.06 4.22
2004 6.09 4.28
2003 6.1 4.36
2002 6.12 4.42
2001 6.13 4.47
2000 6.12 4.53
1999 6.08 4.59
1998 6.07 4.63
1997 6.14 4.68
1996 6.22 4.73
1995 6.27 4.78
1994 6.32 4.87
1993 6.35 4.96
1992 6.39 5.03
1991 6.43 5.11
1990 6.46 5.18
1989 6.49 5.24
1988 6.5 5.3
1987 6.5 5.36
1986 6.56 5.42
1985 6.62 5.47
1984 6.7 5.51
1983 6.78 5.56
1982 6.8 5.59
1981 6.82 5.65
1980 6.85 5.71
1979 6.89 5.79
1978 6.92 5.88
1977 6.86 5.96
1976 6.81 6.02
1975 6.77 6.07
1974 6.7 6.11
1973 6.63 6.16
1972 6.58 6.2
1971 6.53 6.23
1970 6.47 6.25
1969 6.44 6.26
1968 6.42 6.25
1967 6.4 6.24
1966 6.39 6.23
1965 6.37 6.2
1964 6.36 6.19
1963 6.35 6.15
1962 6.36 6.14
1961 6.35 6.07
1960 6.36 6.02

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nigeria and Papua New Guinea demographics compared

Median age
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Median age, years
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 19 23.6
2023 18.8 23.4
2022 18.7 23.2
2021 18.5 23
2020 18.3 22.8
2019 18.2 22.6
2018 18 22.4
2017 17.9 22.2
2016 17.8 22
2015 17.8 21.9
2014 17.7 21.7
2013 17.7 21.5
2012 17.7 21.3
2011 17.7 21.2
2010 17.8 21
2009 17.8 20.9
2008 17.8 20.7
2007 17.9 20.6
2006 17.9 20.4
2005 17.9 20.3
2004 17.9 20.2
2003 17.9 20
2002 17.9 19.9
2001 17.9 19.9
2000 17.9 19.8
1999 17.9 19.7
1998 17.8 19.6
1997 17.7 19.5
1996 17.6 19.4
1995 17.6 19.2
1994 17.5 19.1
1993 17.4 19
1992 17.4 18.9
1991 17.3 18.8
1990 17.3 18.7
1989 17.3 18.6
1988 17.3 18.6
1987 17.3 18.5
1986 17.3 18.5
1985 17.3 18.4
1984 17.4 18.3
1983 17.5 18.3
1982 17.6 18.2
1981 17.7 18.1
1980 17.8 18
1979 17.9 17.8
1978 18 17.7
1977 18.2 17.5
1976 18.3 17.4
1975 18.4 17.3
1974 18.5 17.2
1973 18.6 17.2
1972 18.7 17.1
1971 18.8 17.2
1970 18.9 17.3
1969 19.1 17.4
1968 19.2 17.5
1967 19.2 17.6
1966 19.3 17.8
1965 19.3 17.9
1964 19.3 18
1963 19.3 18.1
1962 19.3 18.3
1961 19.3 18.4
1960 19.3 18.5

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Nigeria and Papua New Guinea.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$30.7B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
20.4%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
0.32%
2023
0.78%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.56%
2024
0.31%
2024
Armed forces personnel
223,000
2020
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-3.23%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
2.69%
2022
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
37.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
54.8
2026
54.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
1.9%
2009
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.000004%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
169
2024
6
2016
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Personal remittances received
$21.3B
2024
$3.87M
2024
International tourist arrivals
5,265,000
2016
39,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
0.8%
2020
0.04%
2018
Banked people share
63.3%
2024
n/a

Energy

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
333 kg
2022
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$24.9
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
131.9 megatons
2024
5.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.57 tons
2024
0.52 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
55.7%
2022
n/a
Renewable energy use share
80.3%
2021
54.6%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
1.08%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
-66.3%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
135.6 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
23.8%
2021
40%
2021
Hydroelectric share
24.3%
2022
35.3%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
61.2%
2023
20.5%
2023

Society

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
% of world population
2.86%
2024
0.13%
2024
Annual migration change
-15,258
2025
-284
2025
Urban population
63%
2024
15.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.6:49.4
2024
51.4:48.6
2024
Average male height
5.63 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Average female height
5.19 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.2
2026
37.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
26
2025
26
2025
Higher education index
57
2026
30
2026
Homicides per 100K people
21.7
2019
9.4
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
20.7
2019
12.6
2019
Visa free countries
52
2025
86
2025
Adult literacy rate
70.4%
2024
87.1%
2022
English speaking
60.6%
2023
70.4%
2023
People using the Internet
39.2%
2023
24.1%
2023

Health

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Government health expenditure per capita
$66.8
2023
$85.2
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$48
2023
$7.28
2023
Life expectancy
55 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
11.3%
2023
18.2%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.06
2023
Age at first childbirth
20.4 years
2025
21.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
993
2023
189
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
104.9
2023
40.3
2023
Obesity rate
12.8%
2022
21.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
3%
2024
14.1%
2024
Air quality index
8
2026
91
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
3.3%
2022
39.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.78 liters
2020
1.13 liters
2020

Territory

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
% of world land
0.61%
2026
0.3%
2026
Land area per capita
1,511 sq mi
2024
16,532 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
267,948 sq mi
2026
5,425 sq mi
2026
Forest area
81,611 sq mi
2026
138,051 sq mi
2026
Roads length
121,167 mi
2017
5,809 mi
2011

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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