Nigeria Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Nigeria's dependency ratio was 77.36 in 2025, ranked 21st globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's dependency ratio stood at 77.36 in 2025, a decline of +1.41 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 77.36 by 2025. Nigeria ranked 21st globally.
Nigeria’s total dependency ratio has fallen steadily over the 66‑year series, moving from 80.06 in 1960 to a trough of 77.36 in 2025, the lowest level recorded for the country and the 21st‑lowest globally. The ratio reached its all‑time high of 95.01 in 1987, reflecting a period of rapid population growth and limited labour‑force expansion, before a gradual decline set in as fertility rates slowed and the working‑age population expanded. By 2025 Nigeria’s ratio of 77.36 is close to that of Yemen, Republic of (77.31) and slightly below Cameroon (78.50), indicating a convergence with other high‑fertility African economies that have likewise benefited from demographic transition. The downward trajectory suggests a modest easing of pressure on the productive sector, yet further reductions will depend on sustained improvements in education, health and labour‑market participation, which could accelerate the shift toward a more favourable dependency structure.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 74.48 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 75.92 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 77.36 | - | - |
| 2025 | 77.36 | −1.41 | #21 |
| 2024 | 78.77 | −1.48 | #196 |
| 2023 | 80.25 | −1.44 | #197 |
| 2022 | 81.69 | −1.41 | #198 |
| 2021 | 83.10 | −1.43 | #199 |
| 2020 | 84.53 | −1.35 | #200 |
| 2019 | 85.88 | −1.18 | #200 |
| 2018 | 87.06 | −1.07 | #199 |
| 2017 | 88.13 | −0.94 | #199 |
| 2016 | 89.06 | −0.66 | #200 |
| 2015 | 89.72 | −0.37 | #201 |
| 2014 | 90.09 | −0.20 | #201 |
| 2013 | 90.30 | −0.08 | #200 |
| 2012 | 90.38 | +0.03 | #199 |
| 2011 | 90.35 | +0.11 | #199 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's dependency ratio was 77.36 in 2025. Ranked 21st globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from the previous year.
Nigeria's dependency ratio peaked at 95.01 in 1987.
The lowest dependency ratio in Nigeria was 77.36 in 2025.
Nigeria ranks 21st globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nigeria's dependency ratio is projected to reach 77.36 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Nigeria in 2025 was 77.36. This ranks 21st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_dependency-ratio,
title = {Nigeria Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}