China vs Nigeria
Population, economy and geography side by side
vs
China has 5.8 times as many people as Nigeria (1.40 billion vs 242 million in 2026). China is 10.3 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in China ($13,862 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in China (78.0 vs 54.6 years).
| China | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 1,403,496,576 | 242,431,832 |
| Yearly population change | −0.22% | +2.06% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 1.24 billion | 359 million |
| Land area | 9,388,210 km² | 910,770 km² |
| Density | 149/km² | 266/km² |
| GDP | $19.50 trillion (2025) | $291 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 (2025) | $1,224 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 years | 54.6 years |
| Births per woman | 1.01 | 4.38 |
| Urban population | 66% | 64% |
| Capital | Beijing | Abuja |
| Currency | renminbi (CNY) | naira (NGN) |
| Calling code | +86 | +234 |
Share of world population: China 16.94%, Nigeria 2.93%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, China or Nigeria?
China: about 1.40 billion people versus 242 million in Nigeria (2026).
Is China bigger than Nigeria?
By land area, China is larger: 9,388,210 km² versus 910,770 km².
Which economy is bigger, China or Nigeria?
China, with a GDP of $19.50 trillion versus $291 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).