Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria
Nigeria: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes was 55.43 million in 2025. ▲ Rising
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria, 2004–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria is 55.43 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.9% on the previous year and up 23.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 55.43 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 31.99 million, in 2004.
Nigeria ranks 4th of 197 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 31.99 million | — |
| 2005 | 32.85 million | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 33.79 million | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 34.85 million | +3.1% |
| 2008 | 35.98 million | +3.2% |
| 2009 | 37.16 million | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 38.39 million | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 39.63 million | +3.2% |
| 2012 | 40.93 million | +3.3% |
| 2013 | 42.28 million | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 43.66 million | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 45.04 million | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 46.36 million | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 47.66 million | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 48.95 million | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 50.16 million | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 51.32 million | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 52.43 million | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 53.41 million | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 54.25 million | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 54.91 million | +1.2% |
| 2025 | 55.43 million | +0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 34.44 million | 31.99 million | 37.16 million | 6 |
| 2010s | 44.31 million | 38.39 million | 50.16 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.63 million | 51.32 million | 55.43 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 16.21 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.32 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), per capita 0.0711 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 17.21 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate 1.04 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), per capita 0.0755 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 6.03 % change on previous year (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 913,305 (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 10.89 % change on previous year (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria?
- Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Nigeria was 55.43 million in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 55.43 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.99 million in 2004.
- How does Nigeria rank for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- Nigeria ranks 4th out of 197 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population of compulsory school age, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release