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Nigeria vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a population of 233M (ranked 6/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Nigeria's land area is 351,650 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 30th vs. 37th).

By GDP, Nigeria ranks 54/197 ($252B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Nigeria ranks 174/197 ($1,084), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Nigeria Zambia
Population
243824469
22697916
Population rank 6/197 62/197
GDP
$252B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 54/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 174/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 170/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 351,650 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
690 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.48
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
19 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
55 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Nigeria and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Nigeria and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Nigeria

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Nigeria Zambia
2024 $252,261,880,141 $25,303,185,342
2023 $487,387,801,881 $27,577,956,471
2022 $646,950,257,578 $29,163,782,140
2021 $609,147,716,973 $22,096,416,932
2020 $598,586,817,819 $18,137,764,931
2019 $668,219,992,691 $23,308,667,781
2018 $421,739,251,509 $26,311,507,274
2017 $375,745,731,053 $25,873,601,261
2016 $404,649,125,252 $20,958,412,538
2015 $493,026,682,801 $21,251,216,799
2014 $574,183,763,412 $27,141,023,558
2013 $520,117,180,314 $28,037,239,463
2012 $463,971,018,239 $25,503,060,420
2011 $414,466,676,831 $23,459,515,276
2010 $366,990,417,129 $20,265,559,484
2009 $295,008,835,381 $15,328,342,304
2008 $339,476,276,258 $17,910,858,638
2007 $278,260,846,800 $14,056,957,976
2006 $238,454,997,161 $12,756,858,899
2005 $175,670,569,969 $8,331,870,169
2004 $135,764,731,646 $6,221,110,219
2003 $104,738,954,264 $4,901,869,764
2002 $95,054,059,303 $4,193,850,445
2001 $73,557,840,064 $4,094,441,301
2000 $69,171,451,627 $3,600,632,111
1999 $59,145,077,039 $3,404,284,891
1998 $218,416,200,673 $3,537,741,942
1997 $200,850,397,618 $4,303,288,480
1996 $185,730,236,700 $3,597,220,962
1995 $140,919,776,986 $3,806,983,413
1994 $80,399,613,064 $3,656,806,166
1993 $56,721,051,402 $3,273,505,344
1992 $52,058,181,854 $3,182,810,841
1991 $59,526,833,412 $3,376,806,697
1990 $54,035,795,388 $3,288,381,797
1989 $44,003,061,108 $3,994,673,161
1988 $49,648,470,440 $3,728,878,149
1987 $52,676,041,931 $2,265,250,972
1986 $54,805,852,581 $1,664,413,508
1985 $73,745,821,158 $2,252,454,500
1984 $73,484,359,521 $2,719,518,933
1983 $97,094,911,792 $3,321,048,451
1982 $142,769,363,314 $3,871,117,093
1981 $164,475,209,516 $4,008,126,497
1980 $64,201,788,123 $3,884,530,854
1979 $47,259,911,894 $3,353,445,378
1978 $36,527,862,209 $2,811,032,473
1977 $36,035,407,725 $2,515,296,940
1976 $36,308,883,249 $2,742,859,263
1975 $27,778,934,625 $2,442,672,141
1974 $24,846,641,318 $2,910,981,262
1973 $15,162,871,287 $2,434,255,237
1972 $12,274,416,018 $1,872,416,680
1971 $9,181,769,912 $1,653,259,341
1970 $12,546,094,982 $1,788,779,285
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,926,399,230
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,573,739,371
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,340,639,464
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,238,999,505
1965 $5,874,537,650 $1,061,199,576
1964 $5,552,931,319 $822,639,671
1963 $5,165,590,254 $704,339,719
1962 $4,909,399,176 $679,279,729
1961 $4,467,287,893 $682,359,727
1960 $4,196,174,502 $698,739,721

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/zambia | CC BY

Nigeria and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Nigeria

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Nigeria Zambia
2024 $1,084 $1,187
2023 $2,139 $1,331
2022 $2,899 $1,447
2021 $2,787 $1,127
2020 $2,797 $952
2019 $3,190 $1,259
2018 $2,058 $1,464
2017 $1,876 $1,483
2016 $2,070 $1,239
2015 $2,586 $1,296
2014 $3,089 $1,707
2013 $2,873 $1,821
2012 $2,633 $1,710
2011 $2,418 $1,625
2010 $2,202 $1,451
2009 $1,820 $1,136
2008 $2,154 $1,376
2007 $1,816 $1,119
2006 $1,600 $1,052
2005 $1,211 $711
2004 $962 $549
2003 $763 $446
2002 $712 $394
2001 $566 $397
2000 $547 $359
1999 $481 $350
1998 $1,822 $373
1997 $1,720 $466
1996 $1,633 $400
1995 $1,272 $433
1994 $745 $426
1993 $540 $391
1992 $509 $389
1991 $597 $423
1990 $556 $422
1989 $465 $526
1988 $540 $504
1987 $588 $315
1986 $628 $238.2
1985 $869 $332
1984 $890 $413
1983 $1,207 $520
1982 $1,822 $627
1981 $2,162 $670
1980 $870 $669
1979 $661 $595
1978 $527 $514
1977 $536 $474
1976 $556 $533
1975 $438 $490
1974 $403 $601
1973 $252.4 $518
1972 $209.5 $410
1971 $160.5 $372
1970 $224.5 $414
1969 $121.4 $459
1968 $97.3 $387
1967 $99.5 $341
1966 $124.4 $325
1965 $117.3 $287.4
1964 $113.3 $230
1963 $107.7 $203.2
1962 $104.5 $202.3
1961 $97.1 $209.7
1960 $93.1 $221.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/zambia | CC BY

Nigeria vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Nigeria

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Nigeria Zambia
2026 55 66.9
2025 54.8 66.7
2024 54.6 66.5
2023 54.5 66.3
2022 54.1 65.3
2021 53.5 62.4
2020 53.1 63.4
2019 53 62.9
2018 52.7 62.1
2017 52.4 61.6
2016 52.2 61.1
2015 51.9 60.7
2014 51.9 60.1
2013 51.8 59.4
2012 51.7 58.7
2011 51.5 57.8
2010 51.3 56.9
2009 51.1 55.9
2008 50.7 54.8
2007 50.4 53.7
2006 49.9 52.7
2005 49.5 51.6
2004 49.1 50.5
2003 48.6 49.6
2002 48 48.5
2001 47.5 47.4
2000 47.1 46.6
1999 46.6 45.9
1998 46.1 45.7
1997 46 45.7
1996 45.8 45.8
1995 45.9 46.1
1994 45.7 46.3
1993 45.8 46.7
1992 45.6 47
1991 45.5 47.4
1990 45.7 48.2
1989 45.8 48.9
1988 45.8 49.7
1987 45.9 50.4
1986 46 51.1
1985 46.2 52
1984 46.3 52.9
1983 46.4 53.7
1982 46.4 54.4
1981 46.3 55
1980 46 55.5
1979 45.7 56
1978 45.3 56.3
1977 44.8 56.3
1976 44.2 56.1
1975 43.1 55.7
1974 42.5 55.4
1973 41.8 54.9
1972 41.3 54.4
1971 40.6 53.9
1970 40 53.4
1969 38.9 53
1968 38.6 52.7
1967 37.5 52.5
1966 38.4 52.3
1965 38.2 52.1
1964 38 51.2
1963 37.8 51.6
1962 37.6 51.3
1961 37.4 51
1960 37.2 50.6
1959 37 50.3
1958 36.8 49.9
1957 36.6 49.5
1956 36.5 49.1
1955 36.3 48.8
1954 36.2 48.4
1953 36 48
1952 35.9 47.6
1951 35.7 47.2
1950 35.5 46.8

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/zambia | CC BY

Nigeria and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Nigeria

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Nigeria Zambia
2024 232,679,478 21,314,956
2023 227,882,945 20,723,965
2022 223,150,896 20,152,938
2021 218,529,286 19,603,607
2020 213,996,181 19,059,395
2019 209,485,641 18,513,839
2018 204,938,755 17,973,569
2017 200,254,579 17,441,320
2016 195,443,700 16,914,423
2015 190,671,878 16,399,089
2014 185,896,915 15,895,315
2013 181,049,443 15,398,997
2012 176,200,625 14,913,629
2011 171,379,598 14,437,796
2010 166,642,886 13,965,594
2009 162,049,464 13,490,389
2008 157,595,014 13,021,324
2007 153,267,261 12,565,085
2006 149,077,334 12,129,553
2005 145,017,253 11,718,819
2004 141,057,045 11,338,198
2003 137,202,644 10,983,595
2002 133,471,989 10,647,949
2001 129,862,595 10,325,185
2000 126,382,494 10,017,631
1999 123,047,320 9,740,005
1998 119,846,254 9,482,408
1997 116,754,792 9,237,063
1996 113,754,779 9,004,053
1995 110,819,428 8,785,763
1994 107,935,714 8,576,269
1993 105,122,069 8,373,921
1992 102,372,770 8,176,680
1991 99,720,162 7,981,650
1990 97,120,925 7,786,169
1989 94,531,014 7,589,216
1988 92,020,090 7,391,440
1987 89,591,716 7,191,282
1986 87,235,953 6,986,471
1985 84,897,973 6,780,953
1984 82,526,443 6,580,490
1983 80,438,260 6,381,038
1982 78,378,701 6,178,637
1981 76,068,103 5,983,289
1980 73,764,641 5,802,833
1979 71,498,242 5,631,728
1978 69,326,532 5,465,374
1977 67,234,590 5,302,480
1976 65,258,009 5,143,842
1975 63,410,815 4,990,086
1974 61,679,144 4,842,746
1973 60,082,139 4,702,693
1972 58,601,748 4,569,309
1971 57,214,684 4,442,525
1970 55,893,838 4,321,718
1969 54,631,914 4,197,116
1968 53,432,783 4,065,593
1967 52,293,065 3,936,343
1966 51,188,234 3,812,003
1965 50,086,764 3,692,086
1964 49,012,016 3,577,017
1963 47,973,575 3,465,907
1962 46,965,292 3,358,099
1961 45,989,310 3,254,086
1960 45,053,782 3,153,729

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/zambia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Nigeria and Zambia

Fertility rate
Nigeria

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nigeria Zambia
2023 4.48 4.1
2022 4.55 4.18
2021 4.64 4.25
2020 4.7 4.32
2019 4.86 4.42
2018 5.02 4.49
2017 5.18 4.57
2016 5.34 4.67
2015 5.5 4.78
2014 5.62 4.89
2013 5.69 5.01
2012 5.8 5.14
2011 5.89 5.26
2010 5.95 5.36
2009 5.99 5.45
2008 6.02 5.53
2007 6.03 5.61
2006 6.05 5.68
2005 6.06 5.7
2004 6.09 5.7
2003 6.1 5.71
2002 6.12 5.77
2001 6.13 5.85
2000 6.12 5.92
1999 6.08 6
1998 6.07 6.07
1997 6.14 6.12
1996 6.22 6.18
1995 6.27 6.23
1994 6.32 6.26
1993 6.35 6.3
1992 6.39 6.35
1991 6.43 6.46
1990 6.46 6.57
1989 6.49 6.64
1988 6.5 6.7
1987 6.5 6.8
1986 6.56 6.87
1985 6.62 6.93
1984 6.7 6.97
1983 6.78 7.01
1982 6.8 7.04
1981 6.82 7.07
1980 6.85 7.14
1979 6.89 7.22
1978 6.92 7.29
1977 6.86 7.35
1976 6.81 7.39
1975 6.77 7.42
1974 6.7 7.36
1973 6.63 7.34
1972 6.58 7.3
1971 6.53 7.26
1970 6.47 7.22
1969 6.44 7.18
1968 6.42 7.18
1967 6.4 7.15
1966 6.39 7.14
1965 6.37 7.12
1964 6.36 7.09
1963 6.35 7.06
1962 6.36 7.01
1961 6.35 6.98
1960 6.36 6.95

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/zambia | CC BY

Nigeria and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Nigeria

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Nigeria Zambia
2024 19 18.8
2023 18.8 18.6
2022 18.7 18.4
2021 18.5 18.2
2020 18.3 18
2019 18.2 17.9
2018 18 17.7
2017 17.9 17.5
2016 17.8 17.4
2015 17.8 17.2
2014 17.7 17.1
2013 17.7 17
2012 17.7 16.9
2011 17.7 16.8
2010 17.8 16.7
2009 17.8 16.6
2008 17.8 16.5
2007 17.9 16.4
2006 17.9 16.3
2005 17.9 16.3
2004 17.9 16.2
2003 17.9 16.1
2002 17.9 16
2001 17.9 15.9
2000 17.9 15.9
1999 17.9 15.8
1998 17.8 15.8
1997 17.7 15.8
1996 17.6 15.8
1995 17.6 15.8
1994 17.5 15.8
1993 17.4 15.8
1992 17.4 15.8
1991 17.3 15.7
1990 17.3 15.7
1989 17.3 15.7
1988 17.3 15.6
1987 17.3 15.6
1986 17.3 15.5
1985 17.3 15.5
1984 17.4 15.4
1983 17.5 15.4
1982 17.6 15.3
1981 17.7 15.3
1980 17.8 15.2
1979 17.9 15.3
1978 18 15.3
1977 18.2 15.4
1976 18.3 15.4
1975 18.4 15.5
1974 18.5 15.7
1973 18.6 15.8
1972 18.7 15.9
1971 18.8 16.1
1970 18.9 16.2
1969 19.1 16.4
1968 19.2 16.4
1967 19.2 16.5
1966 19.3 16.5
1965 19.3 16.6
1964 19.3 16.6
1963 19.3 16.7
1962 19.3 16.8
1961 19.3 16.9
1960 19.3 17

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nigeria/zambia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Nigeria and Zambia.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Nigeria Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
0.32%
2023
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.56%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
223,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
54.8
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
1.5%
2022
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.000004%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
169
2024
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$21.3B
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
5,265,000
2016
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
0.8%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
63.3%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

Nigeria Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
333 kg
2022
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$24.9
2022
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
131.9 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.57 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
55.7%
2022
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
80.3%
2021
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
1.08%
2022
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share
-66.3%
2022
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
135.6 kWh
2022
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
23.8%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
24.3%
2022
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
61.2%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Nigeria Zambia
% of world population
2.86%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
-15,258
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
63%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.6:49.4
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.63 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.19 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.2
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
26
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
57
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
21.7
2019
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
20.7
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
52
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
70.4%
2024
82%
2023
English speaking
60.6%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
39.2%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Nigeria Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$66.8
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$48
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
55 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
11.3%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.4 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
993
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
104.9
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
12.8%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
3%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
8
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
3.3%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.78 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Nigeria Zambia
% of world land
0.61%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
1,511 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
267,948 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
81,611 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
121,167 mi
2017
42,049 mi
2018

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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