In 2016, the birth rate in Nigeria was 37.3 births per thousand people. This is the twelfth-highest birth rate in the world. Nigeria still has a very high infant mortality rate, with many children dying before reaching their first birthday.
Death rate
In 2016, Nigeria had a death rate of 12.7 deaths per thousand people. The main causes of death in Nigeria are malaria, gastroenteritis and HIV/Aids. Life expectancy is only 54 years in Nigeria.
The Future for Nigeria’s Population
It is estimated that by 2030 the population of Nigeria will reach 263 million, making it one of the fastest-growing countries in the world.
1. How did the slave trade impact on population in Nigeria? 2. Describe Nigeria’s population change from 1960 to 2016. 3. Explain three factors that have influenced Nigeria’s population growth. 4. Compare Nigeria’s birth, death and life expectancy rates to Ireland’s. 5. (i) What do future population predications say will happen to population in Nigeria?
(ii) How might this impact on services and the economy in Nigeria? 251 0.0%0.0% MALE
0.0% 0.0%
0.0% 0.1% 0.2% 0.4% 0.6% 0.8% 1.1% 1.4%
1.8% 2.3% 2.8% 3.3% 3.8% 4.4% 5.3%
0.0% 0.0%
0.0% 0.1% 0.2% 0.4% 0.7% 0.9% 1.2% 1.4% 1.7%
2.2% 2.7% 3.2% 3.6% 4.2% 5.1% 6.0% 7.1% 8.3%
6% 4% 2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% % of total population
10% FEMALE 4. Population pyramid of Nigeria, 2016
Being numerate: Looking at figure 4:
1. What percentage of the population is aged 0–4?
2. Which age group contains the largest percentage of Nigeria’s population?
3. What percentage of the population live to be 80+?
4. How do these figures compare to Ireland? Give two comparisons.
