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When did Nigeria overtake Russia in population?

2005: Nigeria overtook Russia in population. Nigeria leads in 2023. UN annual population estimates.

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What the data shows

  • Nigeria: 97.12M in 1990, 227.88M in 2023 (2.3× higher).
  • Russia: 148.98M in 1990, 145.44M in 2023. It peaked at 149.45M in 1991.

About this chart

Nigeria overtook Russia in 2005 in the annual population series. The change is visible between consecutive observations: in 2004, Nigeria stood at 141.06 million, against Russia at 145.18 million. In 2005, the order reversed, with Nigeria at 145.02 million and Russia at 144.6 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 Russia 145.44 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 Russia, Population, millions of people, 1990–2023, 1990–2023
Date🇳🇬 Nigeria🇷🇺 Russia
199097.12M148.98M
199199.72M149.45M
1992102.37M148.92M
1993105.12M148.14M
1994107.94M148.20M
1995110.82M148.29M
1996113.76M148.09M
1997116.76M147.85M
1998119.85M147.64M
1999123.05M147.24M
2000126.38M146.72M
2001129.86M146.12M
2002133.47M145.94M
2003137.20M145.79M
2004141.06M145.18M
2005145.02M144.60M
2006149.08M144.10M
2007153.27M143.86M
2008157.60M143.81M
2009162.05M143.87M
2010166.64M143.93M
2011171.38M144.04M
2012176.20M144.29M
2013181.05M144.60M
2014185.90M144.93M
2015190.67M145.31M
2016195.44M145.78M
2017200.26M146.19M
2018204.94M146.43M
2019209.49M146.53M
2020214.00M146.37M
2021218.53M145.84M
2022223.15M145.58M
2023227.88M145.44M

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Frequently asked questions

When did Nigeria overtake Russia in population?

Nigeria overtook Russia in 2005 in the annual population series. Nigeria was below Russia in 2004 and above it in 2005.

Which has the larger population in 2023?

By 2023, Nigeria was ahead: Nigeria recorded 227.88 million and Russia 145.44 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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Related data

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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's GDP

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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Nigeria's largest cities

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.