China vs Nigeria: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes
China
159.15 million
in 2025
Nigeria
55.43 million
in 2025
China rank
2nd
Nigeria rank
4th
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes over time
- China
- Nigeria
How they compare
China currently reports 159.15 million against 55.43 million in Nigeria, a difference of 103.72 million.
That makes China's figure about 2.9 times Nigeria's.
Across all 22 years both countries report, China has been ahead every year.
China ranks 2nd and Nigeria ranks 4th of 197 countries.
China has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Nigeria | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 164.48 million | 34.44 million | 130.05 million | China |
| 2010s | 148.26 million | 44.31 million | 103.95 million | China |
| 2020s | 159.44 million | 53.63 million | 105.81 million | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population of compulsory school age, both sexes, China or Nigeria?
- China, at 159.15 million against 55.43 million in Nigeria as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population of compulsory school age, both sexes between China and Nigeria?
- 103.72 million, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Nigeria?
- 22 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2025.
- How do China and Nigeria rank globally for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- China ranks 2nd and Nigeria ranks 4th of 197 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release