China vs Nigeria
China vs Nigeria: Fertility rate
Fertility rate in 2023: 1 births per woman in China and 4.48 births per woman in Nigeria, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in Nigeria, by 3.48 births per woman, or 4.48 times that in China.
births per woman · UN
What the numbers say
- Nigeria has been higher since 1969, when it overtook China.
- In 2023, China ranked 221 and Nigeria ranked 15 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts China at 1.35 births per woman and Nigeria at 1.91 births per woman in 2100.
- The world as a whole: 2.25 births per woman in 2023.
Every year
births per woman · UN
| Year | China | Nigeria | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 4.48 | 2.25 |
| 2022 | 1.03 | 4.55 | 2.27 |
| 2021 | 1.12 | 4.64 | 2.29 |
| 2020 | 1.24 | 4.7 | 2.32 |
| 2019 | 1.5 | 4.86 | 2.4 |
| 2018 | 1.54 | 5.02 | 2.44 |
| 2017 | 1.8 | 5.18 | 2.5 |
| 2016 | 1.77 | 5.34 | 2.54 |
| 2015 | 1.67 | 5.5 | 2.54 |
| 2014 | 1.77 | 5.62 | 2.56 |
| 2013 | 1.71 | 5.69 | 2.57 |
| 2012 | 1.8 | 5.8 | 2.61 |
| 2011 | 1.67 | 5.89 | 2.59 |
| 2010 | 1.69 | 5.95 | 2.6 |
| 2009 | 1.71 | 5.99 | 2.62 |
| 2008 | 1.7 | 6.02 | 2.63 |
| 2007 | 1.67 | 6.03 | 2.62 |
| 2006 | 1.64 | 6.05 | 2.63 |
| 2005 | 1.62 | 6.06 | 2.63 |
| 2004 | 1.61 | 6.09 | 2.65 |
| 2003 | 1.57 | 6.1 | 2.66 |
| 2002 | 1.57 | 6.12 | 2.68 |
| 2001 | 1.56 | 6.13 | 2.71 |
| 2000 | 1.63 | 6.12 | 2.75 |
| 1999 | 1.53 | 6.08 | 2.75 |
| 1998 | 1.52 | 6.07 | 2.78 |
| 1997 | 1.53 | 6.14 | 2.81 |
| 1996 | 1.55 | 6.22 | 2.85 |
| 1995 | 1.59 | 6.27 | 2.89 |
| 1994 | 1.63 | 6.32 | 2.93 |
| 1993 | 1.69 | 6.35 | 2.98 |
| 1992 | 1.78 | 6.39 | 3.04 |
| 1991 | 1.93 | 6.43 | 3.13 |
| 1990 | 2.51 | 6.46 | 3.31 |
| 1989 | 2.52 | 6.49 | 3.35 |
| 1988 | 2.54 | 6.5 | 3.39 |
| 1987 | 2.76 | 6.5 | 3.48 |
| 1986 | 2.72 | 6.56 | 3.5 |
| 1985 | 2.63 | 6.62 | 3.51 |
| 1984 | 2.61 | 6.7 | 3.55 |
| 1983 | 2.56 | 6.78 | 3.58 |
| 1982 | 2.97 | 6.8 | 3.71 |
| 1981 | 2.79 | 6.82 | 3.71 |
| 1980 | 2.74 | 6.85 | 3.74 |
| 1979 | 2.75 | 6.89 | 3.77 |
| 1978 | 2.72 | 6.92 | 3.79 |
| 1977 | 2.84 | 6.86 | 3.85 |
| 1976 | 3.24 | 6.81 | 3.97 |
| 1975 | 3.57 | 6.77 | 4.08 |
| 1974 | 4.17 | 6.7 | 4.26 |
| 1973 | 4.73 | 6.63 | 4.42 |
| 1972 | 5.11 | 6.58 | 4.55 |
| 1971 | 5.52 | 6.53 | 4.68 |
| 1970 | 6.09 | 6.47 | 4.83 |
| 1969 | 6.18 | 6.44 | 4.87 |
| 1968 | 6.51 | 6.42 | 4.96 |
| 1967 | 5.81 | 6.4 | 4.85 |
| 1966 | 6.31 | 6.39 | 4.96 |
| 1965 | 6.61 | 6.37 | 5.07 |
| 1964 | 6.67 | 6.36 | 5.12 |
| 1963 | 7.51 | 6.35 | 5.31 |
| 1962 | 6.09 | 6.36 | 5.02 |
| 1961 | 3.86 | 6.35 | 4.57 |
| 1960 | 4.45 | 6.36 | 4.7 |
| 1959 | 4.72 | 6.38 | 4.74 |
| 1958 | 5.7 | 6.39 | 4.93 |
| 1957 | 6.43 | 6.4 | 5.07 |
| 1956 | 5.85 | 6.41 | 4.93 |
| 1955 | 6.26 | 6.4 | 5 |
| 1954 | 6.28 | 6.4 | 5 |
| 1953 | 6.04 | 6.4 | 4.92 |
| 1952 | 6.47 | 6.39 | 5 |
| 1951 | 5.7 | 6.42 | 4.82 |
| 1950 | 5.81 | 6.42 | 4.85 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | China | Nigeria | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.010.78–1.25 | 4.383.58–5.11 | 2.25 |
| 2025 | 1.020.76–1.28 | 4.33.43–5.1 | 2.24 |
| 2026 | 1.030.75–1.31 | 4.213.22–5.06 | 2.23 |
| 2027 | 1.040.75–1.34 | 4.13.07–5.06 | 2.22 |
| 2028 | 1.050.75–1.36 | 4.012.9–5.04 | 2.21 |
| 2029 | 1.050.73–1.37 | 3.922.73–5.01 | 2.2 |
| 2030 | 1.060.73–1.4 | 3.822.59–5 | 2.2 |
| 2031 | 1.070.71–1.43 | 3.732.47–4.99 | 2.19 |
| 2032 | 1.080.7–1.45 | 3.652.32–4.97 | 2.18 |
| 2033 | 1.080.69–1.47 | 3.562.25–4.97 | 2.17 |
| 2034 | 1.090.69–1.48 | 3.482.15–4.89 | 2.16 |
| 2035 | 1.10.69–1.49 | 3.412.08–4.89 | 2.15 |
| 2036 | 1.10.68–1.5 | 3.342.03–4.83 | 2.15 |
| 2037 | 1.110.67–1.53 | 3.271.95–4.77 | 2.14 |
| 2038 | 1.120.66–1.53 | 3.211.9–4.75 | 2.13 |
| 2039 | 1.130.67–1.55 | 3.161.87–4.72 | 2.13 |
| 2040 | 1.130.66–1.56 | 3.11.81–4.69 | 2.13 |
| 2041 | 1.140.66–1.58 | 3.041.76–4.68 | 2.12 |
| 2042 | 1.140.65–1.59 | 2.991.73–4.65 | 2.12 |
| 2043 | 1.150.65–1.6 | 2.941.7–4.62 | 2.12 |
| 2044 | 1.150.65–1.62 | 2.891.65–4.62 | 2.12 |
| 2045 | 1.160.65–1.63 | 2.851.61–4.53 | 2.12 |
| 2046 | 1.160.65–1.63 | 2.81.61–4.5 | 2.11 |
| 2047 | 1.170.65–1.65 | 2.761.59–4.44 | 2.11 |
| 2048 | 1.170.64–1.67 | 2.731.58–4.43 | 2.11 |
| 2049 | 1.180.64–1.67 | 2.691.55–4.38 | 2.1 |
| 2050 | 1.180.64–1.69 | 2.661.54–4.36 | 2.1 |
| 2051 | 1.190.63–1.7 | 2.631.53–4.32 | 2.09 |
| 2052 | 1.190.63–1.71 | 2.61.51–4.28 | 2.09 |
| 2053 | 1.20.63–1.71 | 2.571.49–4.26 | 2.08 |
| 2054 | 1.20.63–1.72 | 2.541.46–4.21 | 2.07 |
| 2055 | 1.210.63–1.74 | 2.511.44–4.13 | 2.07 |
| 2056 | 1.210.63–1.74 | 2.491.42–4.14 | 2.06 |
| 2057 | 1.220.65–1.78 | 2.461.38–4.12 | 2.05 |
| 2058 | 1.220.64–1.77 | 2.441.38–4.11 | 2.04 |
| 2059 | 1.230.64–1.76 | 2.411.35–4.08 | 2.04 |
| 2060 | 1.230.64–1.77 | 2.391.36–4.05 | 2.03 |
| 2061 | 1.230.63–1.77 | 2.371.35–4.05 | 2.02 |
| 2062 | 1.240.62–1.78 | 2.351.34–4.04 | 2.02 |
| 2063 | 1.240.62–1.8 | 2.321.31–3.99 | 2.01 |
| 2064 | 1.250.64–1.81 | 2.31.31–3.99 | 2 |
| 2065 | 1.250.62–1.82 | 2.281.3–3.97 | 2 |
| 2066 | 1.250.62–1.82 | 2.261.3–3.97 | 1.99 |
| 2067 | 1.260.63–1.83 | 2.251.29–3.88 | 1.98 |
| 2068 | 1.260.64–1.85 | 2.231.26–3.83 | 1.98 |
| 2069 | 1.270.63–1.84 | 2.221.26–3.82 | 1.97 |
| 2070 | 1.270.64–1.86 | 2.21.24–3.79 | 1.97 |
| 2071 | 1.270.64–1.88 | 2.191.22–3.83 | 1.96 |
| 2072 | 1.270.64–1.86 | 2.171.23–3.76 | 1.96 |
| 2073 | 1.280.61–1.87 | 2.161.23–3.71 | 1.95 |
| 2074 | 1.280.63–1.87 | 2.151.23–3.7 | 1.95 |
| 2075 | 1.280.63–1.89 | 2.131.22–3.7 | 1.94 |
| 2076 | 1.290.62–1.89 | 2.121.22–3.64 | 1.94 |
| 2077 | 1.290.62–1.89 | 2.111.21–3.66 | 1.94 |
| 2078 | 1.290.62–1.9 | 2.11.19–3.6 | 1.93 |
| 2079 | 1.290.61–1.9 | 2.091.2–3.61 | 1.93 |
| 2080 | 1.30.61–1.9 | 2.071.18–3.58 | 1.92 |
| 2081 | 1.30.62–1.9 | 2.061.16–3.56 | 1.92 |
| 2082 | 1.30.62–1.92 | 2.051.16–3.51 | 1.91 |
| 2083 | 1.30.63–1.94 | 2.041.15–3.54 | 1.91 |
| 2084 | 1.310.62–1.94 | 2.031.15–3.54 | 1.91 |
| 2085 | 1.310.62–1.94 | 2.021.15–3.49 | 1.9 |
| 2086 | 1.310.62–1.95 | 2.021.15–3.48 | 1.9 |
| 2087 | 1.310.61–1.95 | 2.011.13–3.48 | 1.89 |
| 2088 | 1.320.61–1.96 | 21.12–3.5 | 1.89 |
| 2089 | 1.320.61–1.97 | 1.991.12–3.48 | 1.88 |
| 2090 | 1.320.61–1.96 | 1.981.11–3.46 | 1.88 |
| 2091 | 1.330.61–1.97 | 1.971.11–3.41 | 1.88 |
| 2092 | 1.330.62–1.97 | 1.961.11–3.36 | 1.87 |
| 2093 | 1.330.62–1.97 | 1.961.11–3.39 | 1.87 |
| 2094 | 1.330.62–1.97 | 1.951.08–3.39 | 1.86 |
| 2095 | 1.330.61–1.96 | 1.951.09–3.37 | 1.86 |
| 2096 | 1.330.62–1.96 | 1.941.08–3.36 | 1.85 |
| 2097 | 1.340.62–1.97 | 1.931.08–3.38 | 1.85 |
| 2098 | 1.340.62–1.98 | 1.931.07–3.36 | 1.85 |
| 2099 | 1.350.6–2 | 1.921.09–3.36 | 1.84 |
| 2100 | 1.350.6–1.99 | 1.911.08–3.36 | 1.84 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- The children a woman would have over her life at the year’s birth rates for each age.
- Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024.
- The dashed line is the UN projection (medium variant), a scenario rather than a forecast; the band is its 95% prediction interval.
- Ranks count the 229 countries with a value in 2023, highest first.
- The faint line is the world as a whole, as the same source counts it.
How the layers work, where their data comes from and what they can’t tell you: Countries through time
China vs Nigeria
Health
- Life expectancyChina: 78 years in 2023Nigeria: 54.5 years in 2023
- Child mortalityChina: 0.6 per 100 live births in 2024Nigeria: 11.6 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityChina: 5.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023Nigeria: 69.5 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- DepressionChina: 3.31% in 2017Nigeria: 3.92% in 2017
- Suicide rateChina: 7.2 per 100,000 people in 2017Nigeria: 7.5 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationChina: 1.42 billion people in 2023Nigeria: 228 million people in 2023
- Population growthChina: -0.24% a year in 2023Nigeria: 2.1% a year in 2023
- Urban populationChina: 66.3% in 2025Nigeria: 63.8% in 2025
- Median ageChina: 39.1 years in 2023Nigeria: 17.8 years in 2023
- People aged 65 and overChina: 14.3% in 2023Nigeria: 3% in 2023
- Net migration rateChina: -0.4 per 1,000 people in 2023Nigeria: -0.3 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingChina: 1.73% of GDP in 2025Nigeria: 0.91% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsChina: $335B in 2025Nigeria: $1.76B in 2025
- Military spending per personChina: $237 in 2025Nigeria: $9 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingChina: 5.1% of government spending in 2025Nigeria: 5.9% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelChina: 2.54 million people in 2020Nigeria: 223,000 people in 2020
- National powerChina: 23.41% of world capability in 2022Nigeria: 1.16% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersChina: 0.33% of the labour force in 2020Nigeria: 0.23% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsChina: 207 million TIV in 2025Nigeria: 21 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsChina: 880 million TIV in 2025Nigeria: 4 million TIV in 2022