Nigeria Infant Mortality Rate
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births SP.DYN.IMRT.IN
Nigeria's infant mortality rate was 57.1 in 2025, ranked 6th globally. This represents a 5.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1964–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's infant mortality rate stood at 57.1 in 2025, a decline of +3.0 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.1 by 2025. Nigeria ranked 6th globally.
Nigeria’s infant mortality rate has fallen dramatically from an all‑time peak of 173.60 in 1964 to a trough of 57.10 in 2025, placing the country sixth globally and improving its standing relative to regional peers such as Guinea (58.64) and Chad (55.24). Over the 61‑year series, the decline reflects expanded immunisation programmes, increased access to skilled birth attendance, and broader implementation of community health initiatives, while the absolute level remains higher than the Sustainable Development Goal target of 25 deaths per 1,000 live births. The pace of reduction accelerated after the early 2000s, coinciding with higher public health spending and the rollout of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s child survival strategies. Nonetheless, gaps in rural service delivery and persistent socioeconomic disparities sustain a mortality burden above the regional average. Continued investment in primary health infrastructure, coupled with targeted nutrition and disease‑prevention interventions, is likely to sustain the downward trajectory and bring Nigeria closer to international targets.
Data & projection
| Year | Infant Mortality Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 55.6 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 57.1 | - | - |
| 2025 | 57.1 | −3.0 | #6 |
| 2023 | 60.1 | −1.5 | #190 |
| 2022 | 61.6 | −1.6 | #190 |
| 2021 | 63.2 | −1.5 | #190 |
| 2020 | 64.7 | −1.4 | #190 |
| 2019 | 66.1 | −1.3 | #190 |
| 2018 | 67.4 | −1.2 | #189 |
| 2017 | 68.6 | −0.9 | #188 |
| 2016 | 69.5 | −0.7 | #189 |
| 2015 | 70.2 | −0.6 | #189 |
| 2014 | 70.8 | −0.6 | #188 |
| 2013 | 71.4 | −0.6 | #187 |
| 2012 | 72.0 | −1.0 | #187 |
| 2011 | 73.0 | −1.0 | #186 |
| 2010 | 74.0 | −1.4 | #184 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw infant mortality rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's infant mortality rate was 57.1 in 2025. Ranked 6th globally. This represents a 5.0% decrease from the previous year.
Nigeria's infant mortality rate peaked at 173.6 in 1964.
The lowest infant mortality rate in Nigeria was 57.1 in 2025.
Nigeria ranks 6th globally in infant mortality rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.IMRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nigeria's infant mortality rate is projected to reach 57.1 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The infant mortality rate of Nigeria in 2025 was 57.1. This ranks 6th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_infant-mortality,
title = {Nigeria Infant Mortality Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/infant-mortality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}