Exclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months) in Nigeria
Nigeria: Exclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months) was 28.78 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
28.78
Change on year
down 16.3%
World rank
56th
of 65 countries
All-time high
34.36
in 2021
All-time low
1.7
in 1990
Years of data
11
1990–2024
Exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria, 1990–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria is 28.78, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 16.3% on the previous year and up 69.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria peaked at 34.36 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1.7, in 1990.
Nigeria ranks 56th of 65 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Exclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months) in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.7 | — |
| 1999 | 15.4 | +805.9% |
| 2003 | 15.63 | +1.5% |
| 2007 | 11.49 | -26.5% |
| 2008 | 12.54 | +9.2% |
| 2011 | 14.66 | +16.9% |
| 2013 | 16.94 | +15.5% |
| 2016 | 23.33 | +37.8% |
| 2018 | 28.68 | +22.9% |
| 2021 | 34.36 | +19.8% |
| 2024 | 28.78 | -16.3% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 28.78 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.62, 60% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 28.78 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 53.63, 54% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.55 | 1.7 | 15.4 | 2 |
| 2000s | 13.22 | 11.49 | 15.63 | 3 |
| 2010s | 20.9 | 14.66 | 28.68 | 4 |
| 2020s | 31.57 | 28.78 | 34.36 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More health data for Nigeria
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.08 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.8137 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 257,921 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 14 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.14 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0711 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.17 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0729 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria?
- Exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria was 28.78 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 34.36 in 2021.
- What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7 in 1990.
- How does Nigeria rank for exclusive breastfeeding?
- Nigeria ranks 56th out of 65 countries with data for 2024.
- Is exclusive breastfeeding rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 69.9%. 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 Exclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).