According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2023 report, poverty rates in Nigeria vary significantly by region.
The poverty rate in the South East is 49.5%, while the South West is 50.1%, both below the national average of 73.9%. The South South has a poverty rate of 75.8%, while the North East has a poverty rate of 78.8%. The North West has the highest poverty rate of 92.9%, and the North Central has a poverty rate of 96.2%.
The poverty rate in Nigeria is worsening health standards, limiting access to education, and declining productivity. Over 80 million Nigerians live in poverty, and 44% of the states in Nigeria have a poverty ratio of over 50%.
Poverty disproportionately affects rural dwellers and households living in the North Central, North East, or North West zones. The poverty rate in Lagos, the most prosperous state in Nigeria, is 4.5%.
The poverty rate in Nigeria is measured using the national monetary poverty line, which indicates that 40.1% of people in Nigeria are poor.
Here is the summary of the breakdown of poverty rates in Nigeria by region:
– South East: 49.5%
– South West: 50.1%
– South South: 75.8%
– North East: 78.8%
– North West: 92.9%
– North Central: 96.2%
National Average: 73.9%
Notably, only the South East and South West regions fall below the national poverty rate.
