Net migration in Nigeria
Nigeria: Net migration was -15,258 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Nigeria, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded -15,258 for net migration in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 56.7% on the previous year and up 86.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Nigeria peaked at 198,672 in 1980 and was at its lowest, -507,539, in 1983.
That places Nigeria 164th out of 215 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 19,979 | 6,912 | 32,988 | 10 |
| 1970s | 52,956 | -35,639 | 137,721 | 10 |
| 1980s | 36,144 | -507,539 | 198,672 | 10 |
| 1990s | 103,281 | 42,760 | 145,575 | 10 |
| 2000s | 21,805 | -18,422 | 74,535 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,924 | -116,162 | 78,685 | 10 |
| 2020s | -43,448 | -86,115 | -14,497 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More financial sector data for Nigeria
- Official exchange rate 1,518 LCU per US$, period average (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 7.12 (2025)
- Net domestic credit 66.12 trillion current LCU (2022)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 13.1% (2023)
- Broad money 25.1% (2023)
- Net foreign assets 3.79 trillion current LCU (2022)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 9.6% (2022)
- Domestic credit to private sector 9.6% (2022)
- Claims on central government, etc. 8.6% (2022)
- Claims on central government 22.2% (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Nigeria?
- Net migration in Nigeria was -15,258 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 198,672 in 1980.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was -507,539 in 1983.
- How does Nigeria rank for net migration?
- Nigeria ranks 164th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 86.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.