Early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria

Nigeria: Early initiation of breastfeeding was 35.53 in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
35.53
Change on year
up 53.9%
World rank
48th
of 56 countries
All-time high
42.15
in 2018
All-time low
22.91
in 2011
Years of data
9
2003–2024

Early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria, 2003–2024

0102030402003201320242003: 30.62007: 29.92008: 372011: 22.92013: 33.22016: 32.82018: 42.12021: 23.12024: 35.5

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

Nigeria recorded 35.53 for early initiation of breastfeeding in 2024.

That represents a change of up 53.9% on the previous year and up 7.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria peaked at 42.15 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 22.91, in 2011.

Nigeria ranks 48th of 56 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria, year by year

Annual values for Early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria, 2003 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2003 30.63
2007 29.9 -2.4%
2008 37.02 +23.8%
2011 22.91 -38.1%
2013 33.18 +44.8%
2016 32.84 -1.0%
2018 42.15 +28.4%
2021 23.09 -45.2%
2024 35.53 +53.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 32.52 29.9 37.02 3
2010s 32.77 22.91 42.15 4
2020s 29.31 23.09 35.53 2

Countries ranked near Nigeria

  1. 45 India 41.42 compare
  2. 46 Senegal 38.14 compare
  3. 47 Bangladesh 36.93 compare
  4. 49 Gambia 35.48 compare
  5. 50 El Salvador 34.4 compare
  6. 51 Jordan 33.77 compare

See the full ranking of 56 places →

More health data for Nigeria

All data for Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria?
Early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria was 35.53 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest early initiation of breastfeeding recorded in Nigeria?
The highest recorded value was 42.15 in 2018.
What is the lowest early initiation of breastfeeding recorded in Nigeria?
The lowest recorded value was 22.91 in 2011.
How does Nigeria rank for early initiation of breastfeeding?
Nigeria ranks 48th out of 56 countries with data for 2024.
Is early initiation of breastfeeding rising or falling in Nigeria?
Over the last ten years it is up 7.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Nigeria data come from?
The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Early initiation of breastfeeding. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 26 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/early-initiation-of-breastfeeding/nigeria/

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About this data

Indicator
Early initiation of breastfeeding
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
56 places, 382 data points, 1991–2024
Last refreshed