Nigeria now has almost 25 million more people than Brazil
Total population, millions, 2005–2025: World Bank estimates built on the UN World Population Prospects.
Nigeria had an estimated 237.5 million people in 2025, against Brazil's 212.8 million.
Nigeria passed Brazil in 2019; in 2005 it had 39.7 million fewer people.
Nigeria added 4.8 million people in 2025, six times Brazil's 0.8 million, so the gap keeps widening.
the numbers & method
| Year | Nigeria (M) | Brazil (M) |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 145.0 | 184.7 |
| 2006 | 149.1 | 186.7 |
| 2007 | 153.3 | 188.6 |
| 2008 | 157.6 | 190.4 |
| 2009 | 162.0 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 166.6 | 193.7 |
| 2011 | 171.4 | 195.3 |
| 2012 | 176.2 | 196.9 |
| 2013 | 181.0 | 198.5 |
| 2014 | 185.9 | 200.1 |
| 2015 | 190.7 | 201.7 |
| 2016 | 195.4 | 203.2 |
| 2017 | 200.3 | 204.7 |
| 2018 | 204.9 | 206.1 |
| 2019 | 209.5 | 207.5 |
| 2020 | 214.0 | 208.7 |
| 2021 | 218.5 | 209.6 |
| 2022 | 223.2 | 210.3 |
| 2023 | 227.9 | 211.1 |
| 2024 | 232.7 | 212.0 |
| 2025 | 237.5 | 212.8 |
Claim types Estimate
Read on the World Bank API (api.worldbank.org/v2, indicator SP.POP.TOTL, WDI last updated 2026-10-08), 4 Nov 2026. Midyear de facto population. Nigeria / Brazil: 2005 145,017,253 / 184,688,101; 2018 204,938,755 / 206,107,261; 2019 209,485,641 / 207,455,459 (first year Nigeria is ahead); 2024 232,679,478 / 211,998,573; 2025 237,527,782 / 212,812,405. The World Bank bases these series on the UN World Population Prospects; Nigeria has not held a census since 2006, so its figures are estimates. Gap (24.7 million), additions in 2025 (Nigeria 4.85 million, Brazil 0.81 million) and the crossing year are progrss calculations. Values for 2024–2025 rest on UN WPP projections.
Published 4 Nov 2026
what connects to this
one plate, every morning
The new world, explained in one chart, in your inbox at 7:00, your time. Free.
or follow via rss, the "rss" in progrss