Updated
Overview
Nigeria has 8.5 times the population of Niger: 237.53 million people against 27.92 million (2025).
Nigeria's economy is 13 times the size of Niger's, at $290.79B versus $21.65B.
Per person, Nigeria is the wealthier of the two: $1,224 against $775 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Nigeria | Niger | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $290.79B | $21.65B | 2025 | $187.76B / $19.54B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,224 | $775 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.0% | Higher: 7.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 23.0% | Lower: -4.5% | 2025 | 33.2% / 9.1% |
| Unemployment | 3.1% | Lower: 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 36 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $52 | Higher: $120 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $44 | Higher: $69 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 237.53 million | 27.92 million | 2025 | 244.34 million / 27.32 million |
| Population growth | 2.1% | 3.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.1 yrs | 15.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.30 | 5.79 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 yrs | Higher: 61.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 18% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 41% | 16% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 923,768 km² | 1,267,000 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 257.1/km² | 22.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 136 Mt | Lower: 3.17 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.6 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.13B | $435.88M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 2.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 223,000 | 10,000 | 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
Niger is growing faster: 7.0% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Nigeria at 23.0%, while the other economy sits at -4.5%.
Average monthly earnings favour Niger: $120 against $52 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Niger is the younger society: median age 15.6 versus 18.1 years.
Life expectancy is 6.8 years longer in Niger (61.4 vs 54.6).
Nigeria is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 18%.
Internet adoption is higher in Nigeria (41% vs 16% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Nigeria is 27% smaller than Niger: 923,768 km² versus 1,267,000 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 22.
Military
Nigeria spends 2.6 times as much on defence as Niger: $1.13B versus $435.88M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Niger carries the heavier military burden: 2.2% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Nigeria fields the larger armed forces: 223,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Nigeria bigger than Niger?
- Niger is larger by land area. Nigeria covers 923,768 km² while Niger covers 1,267,000 km², so Niger is 37% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Nigeria or Niger?
- Nigeria has the larger population: 237.53 million versus 27.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Nigeria richer than Niger?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Nigeria is richer: $1,224 against $775. Total GDP tells the same story: $290.79B for Nigeria versus $21.65B for Niger.
- Who spends more on their military, Nigeria or Niger?
- Nigeria spends more: $1.13B versus $435.88M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).