Nigeria vs United Kingdom
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Nigeria has 3.5 times as many people as United Kingdom (242 million vs 69.8 million in 2026). Nigeria is 3.8 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United Kingdom ($57,602 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in United Kingdom (81.4 vs 54.6 years).
| Nigeria | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 242,431,832 | 69,833,560 |
| Yearly population change | +2.06% | +0.50% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 359 million | 74.9 million |
| Land area | 910,770 km² | 241,930 km² |
| Density | 266/km² | 289/km² |
| GDP | $291 billion (2025) | $4.00 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $1,224 (2025) | $57,602 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 years | 81.4 years |
| Births per woman | 4.38 | 1.55 |
| Urban population | 64% | 83% |
| Capital | Abuja | London |
| Currency | naira (NGN) | pound sterling (GBP) |
| Calling code | +234 | +44 |
Share of world population: Nigeria 2.93%, United Kingdom 0.84%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Nigeria or United Kingdom?
Nigeria: about 242 million people versus 69.8 million in United Kingdom (2026).
Is Nigeria bigger than United Kingdom?
By land area, Nigeria is larger: 910,770 km² versus 241,930 km².
Which economy is bigger, Nigeria or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom, with a GDP of $4.00 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).