Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 in Nigeria

Nigeria: Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 was 8.0% in 2018. ▼ Falling

Latest (2018)
8.0%
Change on year
down 12.1%
World rank
33rd
of 40 countries
All-time high
14.7%
in 1990
All-time low
6.3%
in 2008
Years of data
7
1990–2018

Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 in Nigeria, 1990–2018

0510151990200420181990: 14.7 highest2003: 11.6 highest2008: 6.3 highest2011: 7.4 highest2013: 9.4 highest2017: 9.1 highest2018: 8 highest

Source: Household Surveys (DHS, MICS). Measured in highest.

Analysis

The most recent figure for prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 in Nigeria is 8.0%, measured in 2018.

That represents a change of down 12.1% on the previous year and up 27.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 in Nigeria peaked at 14.7% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 6.3%, in 2008.

That places Nigeria 33rd out of 40 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 in Nigeria, year by year

Annual values for Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 (highest) in Nigeria, 1990 to 2018.
Year highest Change
1990 14.7%
2003 11.6% -21.1%
2008 6.3% -45.7%
2011 7.4% +17.5%
2013 9.4% +27.0%
2017 9.1% -3.2%
2018 8.0% -12.1%

Nigeria compared with similar countries

  • Nigeria's 8.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.4%, 65% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
  • Nigeria's 8.0% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.8%, 62% of the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 14.7% 14.7% 14.7% 1
2000s 8.9% 6.3% 11.6% 2
2010s 8.5% 7.4% 9.4% 4

Countries ranked near Nigeria

  1. 31 Colombia 9.3% compare
  2. 32 Lesotho 8.4% compare
  3. 34 Sierra Leone 6.5% compare
  4. 35 India 6.2% compare
  5. 36 Nepal 5.6% compare

See the full ranking of 40 places →

More health data for Nigeria

All data for Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 in Nigeria?
Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 in Nigeria was 8.0% in 2018, according to Household Surveys (DHS, MICS).
What is the highest prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 recorded in Nigeria?
The highest recorded value was 14.7% in 1990.
What is the lowest prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 recorded in Nigeria?
The lowest recorded value was 6.3% in 2008.
How does Nigeria rank for prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5?
Nigeria ranks 33rd out of 40 countries with data for 2018.
Is prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): q5 rising or falling in Nigeria?
Over the last ten years it is up 27.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Nigeria data come from?
The figures come from Household Surveys (DHS, MICS), published as part of Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 (highest). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 in Nigeria. Statizoid, drawing on Household Surveys (DHS, MICS). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/prevalence-of-diarrhea-percent-of-children-under-5-q5-highest/nigeria/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of diarrhea (% of children under 5): Q5 (highest)
Unit
highest
Source
Household Surveys (DHS, MICS)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
40 places, 248 data points, 1990–2021
Last refreshed

Prevalence of diarrhea: Percentage of children under age five years who had diarrhea in the two weeks preceding the survey.