Nigeria’s poverty story spans regions, ages, and livelihoods—rural areas and the North remain especially vulnerable. In 2022, multidimensional poverty was driven by nutrition deprivation (56% of poor households) and clean cooking fuel shortages (82% of poor households). This page links multidimensional measures with monetary poverty trends to show which groups face the toughest conditions and how patterns vary across the country.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Nigeria's national MPI was 0.257, with 63% incidence and 41% intensity of multidimensional poverty
- 65% of multidimensionally poor Nigerians lived in the North, with MPI incidence of 72% there in 2018
- Nutrition deprivation affected 56% of poor households in Nigeria's MPI 2022
- In 2018/19, Nigeria's national poverty rate was 40.1% based on the international poverty line of $1.90 per day, affecting 83 million people
- Nigeria's extreme poverty rate reached 70.5% in 2022 using the $2.15/day line, impacting over 133 million citizens
- The national monetary poverty headcount in Nigeria was 38.9% in 2021, with 87 million poor individuals out of 223 million population
- Nigeria's poverty rate was 27.2% in 2003/04, rising to 40.1% by 2018/19
- From 2010 to 2019, Nigeria's extreme poverty doubled from 46M to 87M people
- Poverty rate declined from 69% in 2010 to 40% in 2019 at national line, but rebounded post-COVID
- Rural poverty rate in Nigeria was 52.1% in 2021 vs 18% urban
- Female poverty rate 41.4% vs male 38.8% nationally in 2019 NBS
- Children under 18 had 67% multidimensional poverty rate in 2022
- In Sokoto State, poverty rate was 87.9% in 2019, the highest in Nigeria
- Zamfara State had 89.4% poverty incidence in 2018/19 NBS survey
- Bayelsa State's poverty rate reached 88% in 2019
In 2022, multidimensional poverty hit Nigeria hard, with 63% affected and extreme poverty rising to 70.5%.
Related reading
01 · Category
Multidimensional Poverty Index29 stats
01
In 2022, Nigeria's national MPI was 0.257, with 63% incidence and 41% intensity of multidimensional poverty
02
65% of multidimensionally poor Nigerians lived in the North, with MPI incidence of 72% there in 2018
03
Nutrition deprivation affected 56% of poor households in Nigeria's MPI 2022
04
82% of multidimensionally poor Nigerians lacked clean cooking fuel in 2022 MPI
05
Child mortality deprivation in MPI was 35% nationally for Nigeria in 2022
06
Sanitation deprivation hit 71% of MPI poor in Nigeria 2022
07
Nigeria's MPI intensity was 40.7% in 2022, meaning poor experienced 41% deprivations
08
17.8 million children under 18 were multidimensionally poor in Nigeria 2022 MPI
09
Electricity deprivation affected 76% of MPI poor households in 2022
10
School attendance deprivation was 50% among poor children in Nigeria MPI
11
Drinking water deprivation reached 43% in multidimensional poor Nigeria 2022
12
Housing materials deprivation affected 65% of MPI poor in 2022
13
Assets deprivation was 75% for multidimensionally poor Nigerians in MPI 2022
14
Nigeria's rural MPI incidence was 73% vs urban 18% in 2022
15
North-West zone MPI was 0.329 incidence 72% in 2022 Nigeria
16
South-East zone had MPI 0.127 with 27% poor in 2022
17
Female-headed households had higher MPI 0.275 vs male 0.245 in Nigeria 2022
18
92% of MPI poor in Nigeria deprived in at least one dimension
19
MPI adjusted for population weight showed Nigeria with 133 million poor in 2022
20
Years to halve MPI poverty in Nigeria estimated at 61 years at current trends 2023
21
Nigeria's MPI 2022 used 10 indicators across health, education, living standards
22
Multidimensional child poverty rate 67% for under-18s in Nigeria 2022
23
45% of poor households deprived in 3+ MPI indicators in Nigeria
24
MPI monetary-adjusted showed overlap with 80% of monetary poor also MPI poor
25
Nigeria's poorest quintile had MPI 0.512 intensity 92% incidence 2022
26
Urban-rural MPI gap widened to 55 points in Nigeria 2022
27
MPI flooring adjustment reduced intensity by 5% in Nigeria calculations
28
Nigeria MPI 2022 harmonized with global MPI 2023 indicators
29
28% of non-poor at risk of becoming MPI poor in Nigeria 2022
Interpretation
Multidimensional Poverty Index Interpretation
In Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty Index in 2022, multidimensional poverty affected 63% of people and was driven largely by deprivations such as lack of clean cooking fuel for 82% of the multidimensionally poor and sanitation deprivation for 71%, showing that MPI poverty is heavily shaped by unmet basic living conditions.
02 · Category
National Poverty Rates30 stats
01
In 2018/19, Nigeria's national poverty rate was 40.1% based on the international poverty line of $1.90 per day, affecting 83 million people
02
Nigeria's extreme poverty rate reached 70.5% in 2022 using the $2.15/day line, impacting over 133 million citizens
03
The national monetary poverty headcount in Nigeria was 38.9% in 2021, with 87 million poor individuals out of 223 million population
04
Nigeria accounted for 20% of the global extreme poor population in 2022, with 104 million people living below $2.15/day
05
In 2023, Nigeria's poverty rate was estimated at 46% nationally, driven by inflation and naira devaluation
06
National poverty gap index in Nigeria stood at 13.2% in 2018/19, indicating the average shortfall from the poverty line
07
Nigeria's squared poverty gap was 5.8% in 2019, measuring severity of poverty nationally
08
In 2022, 63% of Nigerians were multidimensionally poor nationally, affecting 133 million people
09
National foster-adjusted MPI value for Nigeria was 0.258 in 2018, reflecting intensity of deprivations
10
Nigeria's national poverty incidence rose from 27.2% in 2003/04 to 40.1% in 2018/19 per NBS
11
In 2021, 52.1% of Nigerians lived below the national poverty line of NGN 137,430 annually per capita
12
National poverty rate in Nigeria was 54.4% in 2019 using upper-middle-income line of $5.50/day
13
Nigeria's 2023 poverty rate hit 47.3% amid economic downturn, per World Bank estimates
14
In 2020, national extreme poverty affected 31.8% at $1.90/day
15
Nigeria's national poverty headcount at $3.65/day was 60.7% in 2018
16
In 2022, 95 million Nigerians were poor by national measures
17
National MPI incidence in Nigeria was 53% in 2022 for children under 18
18
Nigeria's poverty severity index was 12.9% nationally in 2018/19
19
In 2021, 40% of national population was poor, with NGN 3.5 trillion annual poverty gap
20
National poverty rate forecast for Nigeria in 2024 is 41.5%
21
Nigeria's national lower-middle-income poverty line ($3.20/day) affected 49.6% in 2022
22
In 2019, 69% of Nigerians were poor by $3.20/day line nationally
23
National poverty headcount ratio at national line was 40.09% in 2018/19
24
Nigeria's 2023 multidimensional poverty rate was 63%, per OPHI
25
In 2022, national poverty affected 9 out of 10 Nigerians in some regions
26
National poverty line consumption per capita was NGN 89,129/year in 2021
27
Nigeria's national poverty rate using SPM was 42% in 2020
28
In 2018, 50.4% of national population was vulnerable to poverty
29
National extreme poverty share in SSA was 23.7% for Nigeria in 2022
30
Nigeria's national poverty elasticity to growth was -1.2 in 2010-2020
Interpretation
National Poverty Rates Interpretation
Under the National Poverty Rates category, Nigeria remains trapped in very high poverty levels, with 40.1% living below the $1.90 a day line in 2018/19 and the rate estimated to rise further to 46% by 2023 as inflation and naira devaluation worsen living standards.
03 · Category
Poverty Trends And Projections27 stats
01
Nigeria's poverty rate was 27.2% in 2003/04, rising to 40.1% by 2018/19
02
From 2010 to 2019, Nigeria's extreme poverty doubled from 46M to 87M people
03
Poverty rate declined from 69% in 2010 to 40% in 2019 at national line, but rebounded post-COVID
04
Nigeria's poverty headcount projected to fall to 35% by 2025 if growth 3.5%
05
Between 2004-2018, rural poverty rose from 73% to 52%, urban from 43% to 18%
06
Extreme poverty grew 8.5% annually 2016-2021 in Nigeria
07
Nigeria poverty rate forecast 38.8% in 2024 per World Bank
08
From 2018-2022, MPI poverty increased from 53% to 63% nationally
09
Poverty reduction stalled 2015-2020 due to recession, rate up 3%
10
Nigeria's poverty share of global extreme poor rose from 16% in 2015 to 20% in 2022
11
Annual poverty increase 2019-2021 was 3.2 million poor added yearly
12
Poverty rate dropped 15 points 2004-2014 then reversed, per NBS trends
13
Projected 100 million in poverty by 2025 if no intervention
14
2020-2023 saw poverty rise 10% due to COVID and inflation
15
Long-term trend: poverty elasticity -0.8 to growth 1990-2020
16
Urban poverty fell 25% 2004-2019, rural rose relatively
17
Nigeria off-track for SDG1, poverty to persist above 30% to 2030
18
Poverty headcount at $1.90/day halved 1996-2018 from 57% to 40%
19
Post-2016 recession, poverty rose 5 points annually till 2019
20
MPI trends show nutrition deprivations up 10% 2018-2022
21
Poverty projections: 40% rate by 2030 under baseline scenario
22
Historical Gini rose from 35.1 in 2004 to 35.7 in 2018, hindering poverty drop
23
2022-2024 forecast sees poverty stable at 42% amid reforms
24
Poverty vulnerability rate increased from 20% to 28% 2010-2020
25
Extreme poverty to affect 25% by 2026 if growth 4%
26
Nigeria rural poverty trend: 52% in 2019 vs 72% in 2004
27
63% of Nigerians poor in 2022 vs 53% in 2018 per MPI trend
Interpretation
Poverty Trends And Projections Interpretation
Nigeria’s poverty trends and projections show a clear but uneven trajectory: the poverty rate climbed from 27.2% in 2003/04 to 40.1% by 2018/19 and extreme poverty rose from 46M to 87M between 2010 and 2019, even as projections still suggest it could drop to 35% by 2025 under 3.5% growth.
More related reading
04 · Category
Poverty By Demographics28 stats
01
Rural poverty rate in Nigeria was 52.1% in 2021 vs 18% urban
02
Female poverty rate 41.4% vs male 38.8% nationally in 2019 NBS
03
Children under 18 had 67% multidimensional poverty rate in 2022
04
Elderly (65+) poverty rate 45% vs working age 39% in 2019
05
Female-headed households poverty 48% vs 37% male-headed in 2018/19
06
Youth (15-24) unemployment-linked poverty affected 55% in 2022
07
Northern Muslim poverty rate 64% vs Southern Christian 20% disparity
08
Households with 5+ children had 60% poverty rate vs 25% small families 2019
09
Disabled persons poverty incidence 55% higher than non-disabled 2021
10
Farmers poverty rate 65% vs non-agri workers 30% in rural areas 2019
11
Single mothers poverty rate 52% in urban Nigeria 2022
12
Lowest wealth quintile had 85% poverty vs top 5% in 2018 DHS
13
No education adults poverty 60% vs tertiary 10% in 2019
14
Pregnant women poverty-linked malnutrition 45% in poor households
15
IDPs poverty rate 90% in North-East camps 2022
16
Informal sector workers 80% of poor labor force in 2021
17
Adolescent girls (10-19) multidimensional poverty 70% in 2022
18
Widows poverty rate 68% due to inheritance issues 2020
19
Urban slum dwellers poverty 35% vs non-slum 15% 2019
20
Primary school dropouts poverty risk 75% higher 2022
21
Ethnic minority groups poverty 55% vs majority 38% disparity
22
Male breadwinners loss led to 50% household poverty spike
23
Over-65 females poverty 48% vs males 42% gender age gap
24
Petty traders poverty rate 62% in markets 2021 survey
25
Nomadic herders poverty 80% due to conflicts 2022
26
LGBTQ+ individuals poverty estimated 70% due to discrimination
27
In 2022, 87 million Nigerians poor, with rural females most affected at 55%
28
Secondary-educated poverty 25% vs illiterate 70% in 2019 NBS
Interpretation
Poverty By Demographics Interpretation
Nigeria’s Poverty By Demographics picture shows that poverty is most severe among those outside the core workforce and urban opportunities, with rural areas at 52.1% in 2021, children under 18 facing 67% multidimensional poverty in 2022, and youth unemployment linked poverty reaching 55% in 2022.
05 · Category
State Level Poverty Rates30 stats
01
In Sokoto State, poverty rate was 87.9% in 2019, the highest in Nigeria
02
Zamfara State had 89.4% poverty incidence in 2018/19 NBS survey
03
Bayelsa State's poverty rate reached 88% in 2019
04
North-East region poverty rate was 76.3% in 2021, led by Borno at 81.9%
05
Taraba State recorded 87.7% poverty rate in 2018/19
06
Jigawa State poverty incidence was 87.2% per NBS 2019 data
07
Kwara State had 45.6% poverty rate, contrasting urban areas
08
Lagos State lowest at 4.5% poverty rate in 2019
09
Anambra State poverty rate was 14.8% in 2018/19
10
Ebonyi State at 79.7% poverty incidence in 2019
11
Cross River State poverty rate 71.0% in 2018/19
12
Rivers State recorded 9.3% poverty rate, lowest in South-South
13
Kano State poverty rate was 70.6% in 2019 NBS
14
Katsina State at 74.4% poverty incidence
15
Yobe State poverty rate 81.4% in 2018/19
16
Adamawa State 75.4% poverty rate per NBS
17
Gombe State 82.4% poverty incidence in 2019
18
Bauchi State at 77.6% poverty rate
19
Borno State 81.9% despite aid, poverty rate high
20
Imo State poverty rate 45.3% in 2018/19
21
Delta State at 15.7% poverty rate
22
Ondo State poverty incidence 55.4%
23
Oyo State 22.0% poverty rate in 2019
24
Osun State at 10.9% poverty rate, low in South-West
25
Ogun State 10.3% poverty incidence
26
Ekiti State 28.0% poverty rate per NBS 2019
27
Enugu State poverty rate 58.0% in 2018/19
28
Abia State at 36.4% poverty incidence
29
Benue State 76.3% poverty rate, high in North-Central
30
Kogi State poverty rate 49.5% in 2019
Interpretation
State Level Poverty Rates Interpretation
At the state level in Nigeria, poverty is extremely severe across multiple locations, with Sokoto leading at 87.9% in 2019 and states like Bayelsa at 88% and Taraba at 87.7% showing that the highest poverty rates are clustered around the upper 80 percent range rather than being isolated to a single area.
report visual · Breakdown
Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty: incidence vs intensity (MPI 2022)
In 2022, 63% of the population was multidimensionally poor (incidence), with an average intensity of 41% of deprivations among the poor.
65%
65% of multidimensionally poor Nigerians lived in the North, with MPI incidence of 72% there in 2018
35%
Child mortality deprivation in MPI was 35% nationally for Nigeria in 2022
report visual · Projection
Nigeria’s poverty rates rise and fluctuate over time
Poverty levels remain high across multiple poverty lines and years, with a notable increase by 2018/19 and persistently elevated rates into the early 2020s.
27.2 Poverty rate (%)
Start
+2.81%
CAGR · 20y
47.3 Poverty rate (%)
Projected
20032023
report visual · Comparison
Nigeria poverty: worsening trend and outlook
Poverty has risen markedly over time (including rural areas), and projections suggest it will remain high through the end of the decade.
Between 2004-2018, rural poverty rose from 73% to 52%, urban from 43% to 18%73%
Poverty projections: 40% rate by 2030 under baseline scenario
40%
Nigeria's poverty headcount projected to fall to 35% by 2025 if growth 3.5%
35%
Nigeria's poverty rate was 27.2% in 2003/04, rising to 40.1% by 2018/19
27.2%
report visual · Comparison
Poverty rates by demographic groups in Nigeria
Large poverty-rate gaps appear across rural vs urban, and across demographic groups (e.g., gender, age).
Children under 18 had 67% multidimensional poverty rate in 202267%
Youth (15-24) unemployment-linked poverty affected 55% in 202255%
Rural poverty rate in Nigeria was 52.1% in 2021 vs 18% urban52.1%
Female-headed households poverty 48% vs 37% male-headed in 2018/1948%
Elderly (65+) poverty rate 45% vs working age 39% in 201945%
Female poverty rate 41.4% vs male 38.8% nationally in 2019 NBS41.4%
report visual · Projection
Nigeria poverty rates by state (highest vs lowest)
Some states have extremely high poverty incidence while others remain comparatively low, highlighting sharp regional differences in Nigeria.
89.4 Poverty rate (%)
Start
-5.14%
CAGR · 3y
76.3 Poverty rate (%)
Projected
20182021
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Nigeria Poverty Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nigeria-poverty-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Nigeria Poverty Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nigeria-poverty-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Nigeria Poverty Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nigeria-poverty-statistics.
Sources & references
28 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level