Pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education (headcount basis) in Nigeria
Nigeria: Pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education (headcount basis) was 49.1 headcount basis in 2018. ▼ Falling
Pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education in Nigeria, 2003–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in headcount basis.
Analysis
In 2018, pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education in Nigeria stood at 49.1 headcount basis.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 37.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education in Nigeria peaked at 78.9 headcount basis in 2006 and was at its lowest, 45.8 headcount basis, in 2003.
That places Nigeria 22nd out of 139 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top quarter.
Pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education (headcount basis) in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | headcount basis | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 45.8 headcount basis | — |
| 2004 | 72.73 headcount basis | +58.8% |
| 2005 | 73.87 headcount basis | +1.6% |
| 2006 | 78.9 headcount basis | +6.8% |
| 2010 | 56.77 headcount basis | -28.0% |
| 2018 | 49.1 headcount basis | -13.5% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 49.1 headcount basis is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 37.08 headcount basis, 1.3× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 49.1 headcount basis is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 43.63 headcount basis, 1.1× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 67.82 headcount basis | 45.8 headcount basis | 78.9 headcount basis | 4 |
| 2010s | 52.93 headcount basis | 49.1 headcount basis | 56.77 headcount basis | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 912,245 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education in Nigeria?
- Pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education in Nigeria was 49.1 headcount basis in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 78.9 headcount basis in 2006.
- What is the lowest pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 45.8 headcount basis in 2003.
- How does Nigeria rank for pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education?
- Nigeria ranks 22nd out of 139 countries with data for 2018.
- Is pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Pupil-trained teacher ratio in primary education (headcount basis). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release