‘Nigeria's population to reach 289 million by 2050'

**ogbodo** · 21st October 2010

Nigeria's population is projected to reach 289.1 million by 2050, making it the fifth most populous country in the world, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says in a report, ‘The State of the World Population 2010' released yesterday.

The report claimed that 35 percent Nigerian births are carried out with skilled attendants. It revealed that 47 percent Nigerians have access to improved drinking water source and the country has 50 percent urban growth rate only in 2010.

The report had also projected the present population of the world, which presently stands as 6.9 billion, to increase to 9.1 billion by 2050. The Nigeria current population, according to the UN report, is 158. 3 million, while the entire Africa's population is estimated to reach 1.9 billion in 2050.

According to UNFPA, Nigeria's average population growth rate from 2005 to 2010 was 2.3 percent, with 50 percent of its population living in urban areas in 2010.

The UN report says African countries account for the highest fertility rates, with women in Nigeria, Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia giving birth to an average of six children each.

The UN body puts Nigeria's fertility rate in 2010 at 5 percent, Somalia 6 percent, and Niger at 7 percent.

Rising population

According to the UN, the 10 most populous countries by 2050 will be India 1.6 billion; China, 1.4 billion; U.S., 404 million; Pakistan, 335 million; and Nigeria, 289 million.

Others will be Indonesia, 288 million; Bangladesh, 222 million; Brazil, 219 million; Ethiopia, 174 million; and Democratic Republic of the Congo, 148 million.

The theme of the publications, which is ‘From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change', also explores how conflict and protracted humanitarian emergencies profoundly affect women and girls.

Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which called for an end to gender-based violence in armed conflicts, the resolution also seeks a greater role for women in negotiating and implementing peace agreements.

The State of World Population 2010 Report in its entirety, however, explores how conflict and protracted humanitarian emergencies affect women and girls-and men and boys, and shows how many women and young people have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and have begun rebuilding their lives and laying the foundation for peace and renewal of their societies.