Nigeria vs Pakistan
Population, economy and geography side by side
vs
Pakistan has 16.9 million more people than Nigeria (259 million vs 242 million in 2026). Nigeria is 1.2 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Pakistan ($1,596 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in Pakistan (67.8 vs 54.6 years).
| Nigeria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 242,431,832 | 259,299,791 |
| Yearly population change | +2.06% | +1.60% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 359 million | 372 million |
| Land area | 910,770 km² | 770,880 km² |
| Density | 266/km² | 336/km² |
| GDP | $291 billion (2025) | $407 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $1,224 (2025) | $1,596 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 years | 67.8 years |
| Births per woman | 4.38 | 3.55 |
| Urban population | 64% | 40% |
| Capital | Abuja | Islamabad |
| Currency | naira (NGN) | Pakistani rupee (PKR) |
| Calling code | +234 | +92 |
Share of world population: Nigeria 2.93%, Pakistan 3.13%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Nigeria or Pakistan?
Pakistan: about 259 million people versus 242 million in Nigeria (2026).
Is Nigeria bigger than Pakistan?
By land area, Nigeria is larger: 910,770 km² versus 770,880 km².
Which economy is bigger, Nigeria or Pakistan?
Pakistan, with a GDP of $407 billion 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).