Nigeria vs Russia
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Nigeria has 99.1 million more people than Russia (242 million vs 143 million in 2026). Russia is 18.0 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Russia ($17,547 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in Russia (73.4 vs 54.6 years).
| Nigeria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 242,431,832 | 143,292,448 |
| Yearly population change | +2.06% | −0.15% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 359 million | 137 million |
| Land area | 910,770 km² | 16,376,870 km² |
| Density | 266/km² | 9/km² |
| GDP | $291 billion (2025) | $2.56 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $1,224 (2025) | $17,547 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 years | 73.4 years |
| Births per woman | 4.38 | 1.42 |
| Urban population | 64% | 75% |
| Capital | Abuja | Moscow |
| Currency | naira (NGN) | Russian ruble (RUB) |
| Calling code | +234 | +7 |
Share of world population: Nigeria 2.93%, Russia 1.73%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Nigeria or Russia?
Nigeria: about 242 million people versus 143 million in Russia (2026).
Is Nigeria bigger than Russia?
By land area, Russia is larger: 16,376,870 km² versus 910,770 km².
Which economy is bigger, Nigeria or Russia?
Russia, with a GDP of $2.56 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).