Updated
Overview
Nigeria has 7.9 times the population of Cameroon: 237.53 million people against 29.88 million (2025).
Nigeria's economy is 4.9 times the size of Cameroon's, at $290.79B versus $58.93B.
Per person, Cameroon is the wealthier of the two: $1,972 against $1,224 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Nigeria | Cameroon | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $290.79B | $58.93B | 2025 | $187.76B / $51.33B |
| GDP per capita | $1,224 | Higher: $1,972 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 3.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 23.0% | Lower: 3.4% | 2025 | 33.2% / 4.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.1% | 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 34 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $52 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $44 | Higher: $73 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 237.53 million | 29.88 million | 2025 | 244.34 million / 31.52 million |
| Population growth | 2.1% | 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.1 yrs | 18.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.30 | 4.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 yrs | Higher: 64.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 41% | Higher: 46% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 923,768 km² | 475,442 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 257.1/km² | 62.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 136 Mt | Lower: 9.63 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.6 t | Lower: 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.13B | $534.85M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 223,000 | 34,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Nigeria is growing faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.2%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Nigeria at 23.0%, while the other economy sits at 3.4%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 18.1 (Nigeria) and 18.0 (Cameroon).
Life expectancy is 9.3 years longer in Cameroon (64.0 vs 54.6).
Geography
By land area, Nigeria is 94% larger than Cameroon: 923,768 km² versus 475,442 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Nigeria is far more densely settled: 257 people per km² against 63.
Military
Nigeria spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Cameroon: $1.13B versus $534.85M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Nigeria fields the larger armed forces: 223,000 personnel against 34,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Nigeria bigger than Cameroon?
- Nigeria is larger by land area. Nigeria covers 923,768 km² while Cameroon covers 475,442 km², so Nigeria is 94% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Nigeria or Cameroon?
- Nigeria has the larger population: 237.53 million versus 29.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Nigeria richer than Cameroon?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Cameroon is richer: $1,972 against $1,224. Total GDP tells a different story: $290.79B for Nigeria versus $58.93B for Cameroon.
- Who spends more on their military, Nigeria or Cameroon?
- Nigeria spends more: $1.13B versus $534.85M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).