Nigeria demographic report: the effect of overpopulation on life expectancy
Population studies
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Issue: 1
(01 - 2020)
Background: Nigeria is considered the most populous country in Africa with an estimated population
of 18 I million and a median age of I 7.9. Nigeria's young population indicates that fertility rate
may l‹eep increasing with the total population increasing exponentially. However, life expectancy
in Nigeria is very low accompanied by high mortality rate.
Data Source and methods: This study aimed at analysing Nigeria's demographic data and presenting
how Nigeria's overpopulation is contributing to its low life expectancy. Secondary quantitative
data from United Nations Population Division was analysed for the study.
Results: Findings showed increasing population growth from I 08,0 I I ,465 recorded in 1995 to
200,963,599 recorded in 2020, high fertility, high mortality rate and low life expectancy at 53
years.
Conclusion: The study made recommendations on policies to regulate Nigeria's population growth and
increase life expectancy of the country.
Keywords: Demography, Life expectancy, Birth rate, Death rate, overpopulation
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