Military spending, per capita in Nigeria
Nigeria: Military spending, per capita was 7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person
Change on year
up 51.6%
World rank
149th
of 161 countries
All-time high
73.41 constant 2024 US$ per person
in 1975
All-time low
2.66 constant 2024 US$ per person
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Military spending, per capita in Nigeria, 1960–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in constant 2024 US$ per person.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded 7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person for military spending, per capita in 2025.
The figure is up 51.6% on the previous year and up 19.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending, per capita in Nigeria peaked at 73.41 constant 2024 US$ per person in 1975 and was at its lowest, 2.66 constant 2024 US$ per person, in 1960.
That places Nigeria 149th out of 161 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.
Military spending, per capita in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | constant 2024 US$ per person | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.66 constant 2024 US$ per person | — |
| 1961 | 2.97 constant 2024 US$ per person | +11.5% |
| 1962 | 3.77 constant 2024 US$ per person | +27.1% |
| 1963 | 4.47 constant 2024 US$ per person | +18.5% |
| 1964 | 5.18 constant 2024 US$ per person | +15.9% |
| 1965 | 5.91 constant 2024 US$ per person | +14.1% |
| 1966 | 4.45 constant 2024 US$ per person | -24.6% |
| 1967 | 19.49 constant 2024 US$ per person | +337.9% |
| 1968 | 29.48 constant 2024 US$ per person | +51.2% |
| 1969 | 48.54 constant 2024 US$ per person | +64.7% |
| 1970 | 40.36 constant 2024 US$ per person | -16.9% |
| 1971 | 32.74 constant 2024 US$ per person | -18.9% |
| 1972 | 40.33 constant 2024 US$ per person | +23.2% |
| 1973 | 42.11 constant 2024 US$ per person | +4.4% |
| 1974 | 46.19 constant 2024 US$ per person | +9.7% |
| 1975 | 73.41 constant 2024 US$ per person | +58.9% |
| 1976 | 51.01 constant 2024 US$ per person | -30.5% |
| 1977 | 52.53 constant 2024 US$ per person | +3.0% |
| 1978 | 39.73 constant 2024 US$ per person | -24.4% |
| 1979 | 33.31 constant 2024 US$ per person | -16.2% |
| 1980 | 26.22 constant 2024 US$ per person | -21.3% |
| 1981 | 16.76 constant 2024 US$ per person | -36.1% |
| 1982 | 12.74 constant 2024 US$ per person | -24.0% |
| 1983 | 10.67 constant 2024 US$ per person | -16.2% |
| 1984 | 6.95 constant 2024 US$ per person | -34.9% |
| 1985 | 6.61 constant 2024 US$ per person | -4.9% |
| 1986 | 5.66 constant 2024 US$ per person | -14.4% |
| 1987 | 4.42 constant 2024 US$ per person | -21.9% |
| 1988 | 4.23 constant 2024 US$ per person | -4.3% |
| 1989 | 2.8 constant 2024 US$ per person | -33.9% |
| 1990 | 4.5 constant 2024 US$ per person | +60.7% |
| 1991 | 4.2 constant 2024 US$ per person | -6.6% |
| 1992 | 3.52 constant 2024 US$ per person | -16.2% |
| 1993 | 4.63 constant 2024 US$ per person | +31.6% |
| 1994 | 3.17 constant 2024 US$ per person | -31.7% |
| 1995 | 3.55 constant 2024 US$ per person | +12.2% |
| 1996 | 2.93 constant 2024 US$ per person | -17.4% |
| 1997 | 3.08 constant 2024 US$ per person | +4.8% |
| 1998 | 3.82 constant 2024 US$ per person | +24.4% |
| 1999 | 6.3 constant 2024 US$ per person | +64.8% |
| 2000 | 4.74 constant 2024 US$ per person | -24.8% |
| 2001 | 6.57 constant 2024 US$ per person | +38.6% |
| 2002 | 9.65 constant 2024 US$ per person | +46.9% |
| 2003 | 5.78 constant 2024 US$ per person | -40.1% |
| 2004 | 5.47 constant 2024 US$ per person | -5.2% |
| 2005 | 4.7 constant 2024 US$ per person | -14.1% |
| 2006 | 4.77 constant 2024 US$ per person | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 5.39 constant 2024 US$ per person | +13.0% |
| 2008 | 7.36 constant 2024 US$ per person | +36.6% |
| 2009 | 7.43 constant 2024 US$ per person | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 8.49 constant 2024 US$ per person | +14.2% |
| 2011 | 9.19 constant 2024 US$ per person | +8.2% |
| 2012 | 7.87 constant 2024 US$ per person | -14.3% |
| 2013 | 7.37 constant 2024 US$ per person | -6.4% |
| 2014 | 6.52 constant 2024 US$ per person | -11.4% |
| 2015 | 6.2 constant 2024 US$ per person | -4.9% |
| 2016 | 5.84 constant 2024 US$ per person | -5.8% |
| 2017 | 5.45 constant 2024 US$ per person | -6.7% |
| 2018 | 6.29 constant 2024 US$ per person | +15.3% |
| 2019 | 5.64 constant 2024 US$ per person | -10.3% |
| 2020 | 7.11 constant 2024 US$ per person | +26.0% |
| 2021 | 10.89 constant 2024 US$ per person | +53.1% |
| 2022 | 6.62 constant 2024 US$ per person | -39.2% |
| 2023 | 7.81 constant 2024 US$ per person | +17.9% |
| 2024 | 4.88 constant 2024 US$ per person | -37.5% |
| 2025 | 7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person | +51.6% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 28.14 constant 2024 US$ per person, 26% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.2 constant 2024 US$ per person, 41% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending, per capita in Nigeria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | +337.9% | 4.45 constant 2024 US$ per person | 19.49 constant 2024 US$ per person |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 12.69 constant 2024 US$ per person | 2.66 constant 2024 US$ per person | 48.54 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 1970s | 45.17 constant 2024 US$ per person | 32.74 constant 2024 US$ per person | 73.41 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.71 constant 2024 US$ per person | 2.8 constant 2024 US$ per person | 26.22 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.97 constant 2024 US$ per person | 2.93 constant 2024 US$ per person | 6.3 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.19 constant 2024 US$ per person | 4.7 constant 2024 US$ per person | 9.65 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.89 constant 2024 US$ per person | 5.45 constant 2024 US$ per person | 9.19 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.45 constant 2024 US$ per person | 4.88 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10.89 constant 2024 US$ per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 146 Guinea-Bissau 9.35 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 147 South Sudan 8.42 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 148 Zimbabwe 7.88 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 150 Liberia 7.02 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 151 Ethiopia 5.8 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 152 Malawi 5.76 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
More reference data data for Nigeria
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.77 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 19.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 81.9 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 121.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 14.27 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending, per capita in Nigeria?
- Military spending, per capita in Nigeria was 7.39 constant 2024 US$ per person in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest military spending, per capita recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 73.41 constant 2024 US$ per person in 1975.
- What is the lowest military spending, per capita recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.66 constant 2024 US$ per person in 1960.
- How does Nigeria rank for military spending, per capita?
- Nigeria ranks 149th out of 161 countries with data for 2025.
- Is military spending, per capita rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Military spending, per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Military spending divided by Population, total, matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Military spending ÷ Population, total
Computed from
- Military spending Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
- Population, total World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Military spending divided by Population, total, matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.