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When did Nigeria overtake Brazil in population?

2019: Nigeria overtook Brazil in population. Nigeria leads in 2023. UN annual population estimates.

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What the data shows

  • Nigeria: 141.06M in 2004, 227.88M in 2023 (1.6× higher).
  • Brazil: 182.68M in 2004, 211.14M in 2023.

About this chart

Nigeria overtook Brazil in 2019 in the annual population series. The change is visible between consecutive observations: in 2018, Nigeria stood at 204.94 million, against Brazil at 206.11 million. In 2019, the order reversed, with Nigeria at 209.49 million and Brazil at 207.46 million. This is the most recent upward crossing by Nigeria in the available record.

By 2023, Nigeria was ahead: Nigeria recorded 227.88 million and Brazil 211.14 million. These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections.

Nigeria overtakes Brazil, Population, millions of people, 2004–2023, 2004–2023
Date🇳🇬 Nigeria🇧🇷 Brazil
2004141.06M182.68M
2005145.02M184.69M
2006149.08M186.65M
2007153.27M188.55M
2008157.60M190.37M
2009162.05M192.08M
2010166.64M193.70M
2011171.38M195.29M
2012176.20M196.88M
2013181.05M198.48M
2014185.90M200.09M
2015190.67M201.68M
2016195.44M203.22M
2017200.26M204.70M
2018204.94M206.11M
2019209.49M207.46M
2020214.00M208.66M
2021218.53M209.55M
2022223.15M210.31M
2023227.88M211.14M

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Frequently asked questions

When did Nigeria overtake Brazil in population?

Nigeria overtook Brazil in 2019 in the annual population series. Nigeria was below Brazil in 2018 and above it in 2019.

Which has the larger population in 2023?

By 2023, Nigeria was ahead: Nigeria recorded 227.88 million and Brazil 211.14 million.

What does the population comparison measure?

These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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Nigeria's population

Nigeria: 227.88M in 2023; UN projects 476.75M in 2100. The 1950 estimate was 37.28M. Future values follow the medium scenario.

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Nigeria GDP: $668.2B in 2019, versus $290.8B in 2025. World Bank totals in current US dollars; not adjusted for inflation.

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Lagos is Nigeria's largest city at about 12.8 million in 2025, up from 2.6 million in 1975, and is projected to reach 16.2 million by 2050.