Nigeria vs United States
Population, economy and geography side by side
vs
United States has 101 million more people than Nigeria (343 million vs 242 million in 2026). United States is 10.0 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United States ($90,027 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in United States (78.9 vs 54.6 years).
| Nigeria | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 242,431,832 | 343,382,784 |
| Yearly population change | +2.06% | +0.47% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 359 million | 373 million |
| Land area | 910,770 km² | 9,147,420 km² |
| Density | 266/km² | 38/km² |
| GDP | $291 billion (2025) | $30.77 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $1,224 (2025) | $90,027 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 years | 78.9 years |
| Births per woman | 4.38 | 1.63 |
| Urban population | 64% | 80% |
| Capital | Abuja | Washington, D.C. |
| Currency | naira (NGN) | United States dollar (USD) |
| Calling code | +234 | +1 |
Share of world population: Nigeria 2.93%, United States 4.14%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Nigeria or United States?
United States: about 343 million people versus 242 million in Nigeria (2026).
Is Nigeria bigger than United States?
By land area, United States is larger: 9,147,420 km² versus 910,770 km².
Which economy is bigger, Nigeria or United States?
United States, with a GDP of $30.77 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).