Chickens in Nigeria
Nigeria had 242 million chickens in 2024, the 18th largest in the world (0.87% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 76%. The record was 251 million head in 2022.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 242 million head
- World rank
- 18 of 179
- 10-year change
- +76%
- Record
- 251 million head
- 2022
Chickens in Nigeria, 1961–2024 (head)
Nigeria compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.87%
- 0.65% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +76%
- world +31%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Egypt | 272,284,000 | 0.98% |
| 17 | Poland | 244,680,000 | 0.88% |
| 18 | Nigeria | 241,700,000 | 0.87% |
| 19 | Bolivia | 233,689,000 | 0.84% |
| 20 | Morocco | 233,000,000 | 0.84% |
Map of chickens numbers by country
Share of the world total; Nigeria is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 241,700,000 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 234,795,000 | −6.3% |
| 2022 | 250,620,000 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 240,481,000 | +7.5% |
| 2020 | 223,704,000 | +8.8% |
| 2019 | 205,697,000 | +6.8% |
| 2018 | 192,525,000 | +6.9% |
| 2017 | 180,073,000 | +7.5% |
| 2016 | 167,510,000 | +17% |
| 2015 | 142,895,000 | +4.1% |
| 2014 | 137,240,000 | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 134,839,000 | −15% |
| 2012 | 159,254,000 | +7.0% |
| 2011 | 148,893,000 | −23% |
| 2010 | 192,313,000 | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 183,156,000 | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 174,434,000 | +5.0% |
| 2007 | 166,127,000 | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 158,400,000 | +5.1% |
| 2005 | 150,700,000 | +5.0% |
| 2004 | 143,500,000 | +4.2% |
| 2003 | 137,680,000 | +5.0% |
| 2002 | 131,125,000 | +5.2% |
| 2001 | 124,620,000 | +10% |
| 2000 | 113,200,000 | −10% |
| 1999 | 126,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 126,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 126,000,000 | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 125,000,000 | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 124,000,000 | +1.6% |
| 1994 | 122,000,000 | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 120,000,000 | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 118,000,000 | −1.7% |
| 1991 | 120,000,000 | −4.8% |
| 1990 | 126,090,000 | +4.8% |
| 1989 | 120,270,000 | +4.8% |
| 1988 | 114,740,000 | +4.8% |
| 1987 | 109,510,000 | +4.7% |
| 1986 | 104,560,000 | +4.7% |
| 1985 | 99,850,000 | +6.9% |
| 1984 | 93,390,000 | +2.4% |
| 1983 | 91,170,000 | +4.6% |
| 1982 | 87,160,000 | +4.5% |
| 1981 | 83,370,000 | +4.5% |
| 1980 | 79,760,000 | +4.5% |
| 1979 | 76,340,000 | +4.4% |
| 1978 | 73,100,000 | +4.4% |
| 1977 | 70,030,000 | +4.4% |
| 1976 | 67,110,000 | +4.2% |
| 1975 | 64,380,000 | +4.3% |
| 1974 | 61,700,000 | +4.2% |
| 1973 | 59,210,000 | +4.2% |
| 1972 | 56,840,000 | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 54,590,000 | +4.1% |
| 1970 | 52,440,000 | +4.0% |
| 1969 | 50,410,000 | +4.0% |
| 1968 | 48,470,000 | +3.9% |
| 1967 | 46,640,000 | +3.9% |
| 1966 | 44,890,000 | +3.8% |
| 1965 | 43,240,000 | +3.8% |
| 1964 | 41,650,000 | +3.7% |
| 1963 | 40,150,000 | +3.7% |
| 1962 | 38,710,000 | +3.6% |
| 1961 | 37,360,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many chickens are there in Nigeria?
Nigeria had 242 million chickens in 2024, 0.87% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nigeria rank in the world by number of chickens?
Nigeria ranked 18th of 179 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in China with 18.9% of the world total.
How has the number of chickens in Nigeria changed?
It rose by 76% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +31% for the world. The record was 251 million head in 2022.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for Nigeria is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.