Kenya vs Nigeria
Kenya vs Nigeria: Median age
Median age in 2023: 19.5 years in Kenya and 17.8 years in Nigeria, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in Kenya, by 1.8 years, or 1.1 times that in Nigeria.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- Kenya has been higher since 2009, when it overtook Nigeria.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts Kenya at 37.5 years and Nigeria at 34.3 years in 2100.
- The world as a whole: 30.4 years in 2023.
Every year
years · UN
| Year | Kenya | Nigeria | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 19.5 | 17.8 | 30.4 |
| 2022 | 19.3 | 17.6 | 30.1 |
| 2021 | 19 | 17.4 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 18.8 | 17.2 | 29.6 |
| 2019 | 18.5 | 17.1 | 29.3 |
| 2018 | 18.3 | 16.9 | 29 |
| 2017 | 18.1 | 16.8 | 28.8 |
| 2016 | 17.9 | 16.7 | 28.5 |
| 2015 | 17.7 | 16.7 | 28.3 |
| 2014 | 17.5 | 16.6 | 28.1 |
| 2013 | 17.3 | 16.6 | 27.8 |
| 2012 | 17.1 | 16.6 | 27.6 |
| 2011 | 17 | 16.6 | 27.4 |
| 2010 | 16.9 | 16.7 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 16.8 | 16.7 | 27 |
| 2008 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 26.7 |
| 2007 | 16.6 | 16.8 | 26.5 |
| 2006 | 16.5 | 16.8 | 26.3 |
| 2005 | 16.3 | 16.8 | 26.1 |
| 2004 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 25.9 |
| 2003 | 16 | 16.9 | 25.7 |
| 2002 | 15.9 | 16.9 | 25.5 |
| 2001 | 15.7 | 16.9 | 25.3 |
| 2000 | 15.6 | 16.8 | 25.1 |
| 1999 | 15.4 | 16.8 | 24.9 |
| 1998 | 15.3 | 16.7 | 24.7 |
| 1997 | 15.2 | 16.6 | 24.4 |
| 1996 | 15 | 16.5 | 24.2 |
| 1995 | 14.9 | 16.5 | 24 |
| 1994 | 14.8 | 16.4 | 23.8 |
| 1993 | 14.7 | 16.3 | 23.5 |
| 1992 | 14.5 | 16.2 | 23.3 |
| 1991 | 14.4 | 16.2 | 23.1 |
| 1990 | 14.3 | 16.2 | 22.9 |
| 1989 | 14.2 | 16.1 | 22.8 |
| 1988 | 14.1 | 16.1 | 22.6 |
| 1987 | 14 | 16.1 | 22.4 |
| 1986 | 14 | 16.2 | 22.2 |
| 1985 | 13.9 | 16.2 | 22 |
| 1984 | 13.8 | 16.3 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 13.7 | 16.4 | 21.8 |
| 1982 | 13.6 | 16.5 | 21.7 |
| 1981 | 13.5 | 16.6 | 21.6 |
| 1980 | 13.4 | 16.7 | 21.5 |
| 1979 | 13.3 | 16.8 | 21.3 |
| 1978 | 13.3 | 16.9 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 13.2 | 17.1 | 21 |
| 1976 | 13.2 | 17.2 | 20.8 |
| 1975 | 13.2 | 17.3 | 20.7 |
| 1974 | 13.2 | 17.4 | 20.5 |
| 1973 | 13.2 | 17.5 | 20.4 |
| 1972 | 13.2 | 17.7 | 20.4 |
| 1971 | 13.3 | 17.8 | 20.3 |
| 1970 | 13.3 | 17.9 | 20.3 |
| 1969 | 13.4 | 18 | 20.3 |
| 1968 | 13.5 | 18.1 | 20.4 |
| 1967 | 13.6 | 18.2 | 20.5 |
| 1966 | 13.7 | 18.3 | 20.6 |
| 1965 | 13.9 | 18.3 | 20.8 |
| 1964 | 14.1 | 18.3 | 21 |
| 1963 | 14.2 | 18.3 | 21.2 |
| 1962 | 14.3 | 18.3 | 21.4 |
| 1961 | 14.4 | 18.3 | 21.4 |
| 1960 | 14.6 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1959 | 14.8 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1958 | 15.1 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1957 | 15.3 | 18.3 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 15.5 | 18.2 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 15.7 | 18.2 | 21.8 |
| 1954 | 15.9 | 18.2 | 21.9 |
| 1953 | 16 | 18.2 | 22 |
| 1952 | 16 | 18.2 | 22.1 |
| 1951 | 16 | 18.1 | 22.1 |
| 1950 | 16 | 18.1 | 22.2 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | Kenya | Nigeria | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19.819.7–19.8 | 1817.9–18 | 30.6 |
| 2025 | 2019.9–20.2 | 18.118–18.3 | 30.9 |
| 2026 | 20.320.1–20.5 | 18.418.1–18.6 | 31.1 |
| 2027 | 20.620.2–20.9 | 18.618.2–18.9 | 31.3 |
| 2028 | 20.820.4–21.3 | 18.818.3–19.3 | 31.6 |
| 2029 | 21.120.6–21.7 | 1918.4–19.6 | 31.8 |
| 2030 | 21.420.7–22 | 19.318.5–20 | 32 |
| 2031 | 21.720.9–22.4 | 19.518.6–20.4 | 32.2 |
| 2032 | 21.921–22.8 | 19.718.7–20.8 | 32.4 |
| 2033 | 22.221.2–23.3 | 2018.8–21.2 | 32.6 |
| 2034 | 22.521.3–23.7 | 20.218.8–21.6 | 32.8 |
| 2035 | 22.821.4–24.1 | 20.518.9–22 | 33 |
| 2036 | 2321.5–24.5 | 20.718.9–22.4 | 33.2 |
| 2037 | 23.321.6–24.9 | 2119–22.8 | 33.4 |
| 2038 | 23.521.6–25.4 | 21.219–23.2 | 33.6 |
| 2039 | 23.721.7–25.8 | 21.419–23.6 | 33.8 |
| 2040 | 2421.8–26.2 | 21.718.9–24 | 34 |
| 2041 | 24.221.8–26.6 | 21.918.9–24.4 | 34.2 |
| 2042 | 24.421.9–27 | 22.118.9–24.8 | 34.4 |
| 2043 | 24.722–27.5 | 22.318.8–25.1 | 34.6 |
| 2044 | 24.922–27.9 | 22.518.9–25.5 | 34.8 |
| 2045 | 25.122.1–28.3 | 22.719–25.9 | 35 |
| 2046 | 25.322.2–28.7 | 2319.1–26.3 | 35.2 |
| 2047 | 25.622.3–29.1 | 23.219.1–26.6 | 35.4 |
| 2048 | 25.822.5–29.5 | 23.419.3–27 | 35.6 |
| 2049 | 2622.7–29.8 | 23.719.4–27.3 | 35.9 |
| 2050 | 26.322.8–30.2 | 23.919.5–27.7 | 36.1 |
| 2051 | 26.523–30.6 | 24.119.7–28.1 | 36.3 |
| 2052 | 26.823.2–31 | 24.419.8–28.5 | 36.5 |
| 2053 | 2723.4–31.3 | 24.619.9–28.8 | 36.7 |
| 2054 | 27.323.5–31.7 | 24.820–29.2 | 36.9 |
| 2055 | 27.523.7–32.1 | 25.120.2–29.5 | 37.1 |
| 2056 | 27.823.8–32.5 | 25.320.3–29.8 | 37.3 |
| 2057 | 2824–32.9 | 25.620.5–30 | 37.5 |
| 2058 | 28.324.2–33.2 | 25.820.6–30.3 | 37.6 |
| 2059 | 28.524.3–33.6 | 26.120.7–30.6 | 37.8 |
| 2060 | 28.824.5–33.9 | 26.320.8–30.9 | 37.9 |
| 2061 | 29.124.7–34.2 | 26.620.9–31.1 | 38 |
| 2062 | 29.324.8–34.5 | 26.821–31.4 | 38.1 |
| 2063 | 29.625–34.8 | 27.121.1–31.6 | 38.3 |
| 2064 | 29.825.1–35.1 | 27.321.2–31.8 | 38.4 |
| 2065 | 30.125.2–35.4 | 27.521.4–32 | 38.5 |
| 2066 | 30.425.4–35.7 | 27.821.5–32.3 | 38.6 |
| 2067 | 30.625.5–36.1 | 2821.6–32.5 | 38.7 |
| 2068 | 30.925.7–36.4 | 28.321.7–32.7 | 38.8 |
| 2069 | 31.125.8–36.7 | 28.521.8–32.9 | 38.9 |
| 2070 | 31.425.9–37 | 28.821.9–33.1 | 39 |
| 2071 | 31.626.1–37.3 | 2922–33.3 | 39.1 |
| 2072 | 31.926.2–37.6 | 29.222.2–33.5 | 39.2 |
| 2073 | 32.126.3–37.9 | 29.522.3–33.6 | 39.3 |
| 2074 | 32.426.4–38.1 | 29.722.4–33.8 | 39.4 |
| 2075 | 32.626.5–38.4 | 29.922.5–34 | 39.5 |
| 2076 | 32.826.7–38.6 | 30.122.7–34.2 | 39.6 |
| 2077 | 33.126.8–38.9 | 30.322.8–34.4 | 39.7 |
| 2078 | 33.326.9–39.1 | 30.622.9–34.6 | 39.8 |
| 2079 | 33.527.1–39.4 | 30.823.1–34.7 | 40 |
| 2080 | 33.727.2–39.6 | 3123.2–34.9 | 40.1 |
| 2081 | 33.927.4–39.8 | 31.223.4–35.1 | 40.2 |
| 2082 | 34.127.5–40 | 31.423.5–35.2 | 40.3 |
| 2083 | 34.327.7–40.2 | 31.523.7–35.4 | 40.4 |
| 2084 | 34.527.9–40.4 | 31.723.9–35.6 | 40.5 |
| 2085 | 34.728.1–40.6 | 31.924.1–35.7 | 40.6 |
| 2086 | 34.928.2–40.8 | 32.124.2–35.9 | 40.7 |
| 2087 | 35.128.4–41 | 32.324.4–36 | 40.9 |
| 2088 | 35.328.6–41.1 | 32.424.6–36.1 | 41 |
| 2089 | 35.428.8–41.3 | 32.624.7–36.2 | 41.1 |
| 2090 | 35.629–41.4 | 32.824.9–36.3 | 41.2 |
| 2091 | 35.829.2–41.6 | 32.925–36.4 | 41.3 |
| 2092 | 3629.3–41.7 | 33.125.2–36.5 | 41.4 |
| 2093 | 36.229.5–41.9 | 33.325.3–36.6 | 41.5 |
| 2094 | 36.329.7–42.1 | 33.425.5–36.7 | 41.6 |
| 2095 | 36.529.8–42.2 | 33.625.6–36.8 | 41.7 |
| 2096 | 36.730–42.4 | 33.725.7–36.8 | 41.8 |
| 2097 | 36.930.2–42.5 | 33.925.8–36.9 | 41.9 |
| 2098 | 37.130.3–42.7 | 3426–37 | 42 |
| 2099 | 37.330.5–42.9 | 34.226.1–37 | 42 |
| 2100 | 37.530.6–43 | 34.326.2–37.1 | 42.1 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- Half the people are older than this age and half are younger.
- 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
Kenya vs Nigeria
Health
- Life expectancyKenya: 63.7 years in 2023Nigeria: 54.5 years in 2023
- Child mortalityKenya: 3.9 per 100 live births in 2024Nigeria: 11.6 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityKenya: 29.7 per 1,000 live births in 2023Nigeria: 69.5 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- DepressionKenya: 3.51% in 2017Nigeria: 3.92% in 2017
- Suicide rateKenya: 11.1 per 100,000 people in 2017Nigeria: 7.5 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationKenya: 55.3 million people in 2023Nigeria: 228 million people in 2023
- Population growthKenya: 1.97% a year in 2023Nigeria: 2.1% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateKenya: 3.21 births per woman in 2023Nigeria: 4.48 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationKenya: 32.2% in 2025Nigeria: 63.8% in 2025
- People aged 65 and overKenya: 2.9% in 2023Nigeria: 3% in 2023
- Net migration rateKenya: -0.2 per 1,000 people in 2023Nigeria: -0.3 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingKenya: 1.07% of GDP in 2025Nigeria: 0.91% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsKenya: $1.36B in 2025Nigeria: $1.76B in 2025
- Military spending per personKenya: $26 in 2025Nigeria: $9 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingKenya: 4.6% of government spending in 2025Nigeria: 5.9% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelKenya: 24,000 people in 2020Nigeria: 223,000 people in 2020
- National powerKenya: 0.23% of world capability in 2022Nigeria: 1.16% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersKenya: 0.11% of the labour force in 2020Nigeria: 0.23% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsKenya: 117 million TIV in 2025Nigeria: 21 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsKenya: 2 million TIV in 1993Nigeria: 4 million TIV in 2022