Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Nigeria
Nigeria: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 22.2% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of undernourishment in Nigeria, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2024, prevalence of undernourishment in Nigeria stood at 22.2%. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is up 6.7% on the previous year and up 94.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Nigeria peaked at 22.2% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 8.7%, in 2001.
That places Nigeria 22nd out of 171 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.7% | — |
| 2002 | 8.7% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 8.8% | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 8.9% | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 9.1% | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 9.2% | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 9.4% | +2.2% |
| 2008 | 9.6% | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 9.9% | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 10.5% | +6.1% |
| 2011 | 11.3% | +7.6% |
| 2012 | 11.9% | +5.3% |
| 2013 | 11.8% | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 11.4% | -3.4% |
| 2015 | 11.0% | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 11.1% | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 11.7% | +5.4% |
| 2018 | 12.1% | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 13.9% | +14.9% |
| 2020 | 15.6% | +12.2% |
| 2021 | 17.7% | +13.5% |
| 2022 | 19.3% | +9.0% |
| 2023 | 20.8% | +7.8% |
| 2024 | 22.2% | +6.7% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 22.2% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.1%, 2.0× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 22.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.8%, 1.2× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9.1% | 8.7% | 9.9% | 9 |
| 2010s | 11.7% | 10.5% | 13.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 19.1% | 15.6% | 22.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 19 Sao Tome and Principe 23.0% compare
- 20 Rwanda 22.6% compare
- 21 Mozambique 22.3% compare
- 23 Uganda 20.9% compare
- 24 Namibia 20.1% compare
- 25 Guinea-Bissau 20.0% compare
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 prevalence of undernourishment in Nigeria?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Nigeria was 22.2% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 22.2% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.7% in 2001.
- How does Nigeria rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Nigeria ranks 22nd out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 94.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.