Nigeria Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Nigeria's poverty rate was 39.16% in 2025, ranked 5th globally. This represents a 6.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's poverty rate stood at 39.16% in 2025, a decline of +2.64pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 39.16% by 2025. Nigeria ranked 5th globally.
Nigeria’s poverty rate has fallen markedly from a high of 60.90 % in 1996 to a trough of 34.20 % in 2018, before rising again to 39.16 % in 2025, the fifth‑highest level worldwide. The early‑1990s surge reflected macro‑economic instability, while the post‑2000 decline coincided with expanded social safety nets and commodity‑boom revenues; however, the recent reversal suggests that slower growth, currency depreciation and heightened security costs have eroded gains. Compared with Rwanda, whose poverty rate stands at 39.89 %, Nigeria remains slightly better off, yet both nations face similar challenges in rural livelihoods and informal employment. The 10‑year coverage of the data set captures the volatility of the last two decades, underscoring how external shocks can quickly reverse progress. Continued diversification away from oil, improved fiscal management and targeted anti‑poverty programs will be crucial if Nigeria is to sustain the downward trajectory and bring its poverty rate below the current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 39.16% | - | - |
| 2025 | 39.16% | −2.64pp | #5 |
| 2022 | 41.80% | +7.60pp | #66 |
| 2018 | 34.20% | −1.60pp | #84 |
| 2015 | 35.80% | −1.60pp | #80 |
| 2012 | 37.40% | −1.10pp | #81 |
| 2010 | 38.50% | −12.60pp | #80 |
| 2003 | 51.10% | −9.80pp | #60 |
| 1996 | 60.90% | +5.70pp | #38 |
| 1992 | 55.20% | +4.10pp | #35 |
| 1985 | 51.10% | – | #17 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's poverty rate was 39.16% in 2025. Ranked 5th globally. This represents a 6.3% decrease from the previous year.
Nigeria's poverty rate peaked at 60.90% in 1996.
The lowest poverty rate in Nigeria was 34.20% in 2018.
Nigeria ranks 5th globally in poverty rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nigeria's poverty rate is projected to reach 39.16% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The poverty rate of Nigeria in 2025 was 39.16%. This ranks 5th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_poverty-rate,
title = {Nigeria Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}