The 2024 State of the Nation Health Report reveals that Nigerians are gradually living longer, but their average age of 54.6 years doesn’t reach the global standard.
The document notes that while life expectancy in Nigeria has risen to 54.6 years, it remains 25.5% lower than the worldwide average of 73.3 years, exposing deep-rooted health and economic hurdles.
Shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, the report explains that globally, people live to 73.3 years, with women averaging 76 years and men 70.7 years.
The State of the Nation Report pointed out that the slight lifespan edge women have over men matches a common trend seen around the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines life expectancy as “the average number of years that a newborn could expect to live if they were to pass through life exposed to the sex and age-specific death rates prevailing at the time of their birth, for a specific year, in a given country, territory, or geographical area.”
Based on the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2023/2024), the report found that Nigerian women bear 4.8 children on average—a figure easing downward but still topping global charts.
It showed rural women averaging 5.6 children, far more than the 3.9 in cities, hinting at gaps in education and medical reach.
“Communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis contribute significantly to the disease burden, negatively impacting overall health outcomes and life expectancy,” the report stated.
Even with gains, Nigeria’s life expectancy trails the global norm, signalling a pressing call for stronger healthcare funding and community health efforts.
The report also flagged a swift rise in city dwellers, with 54% of Nigerians now urban-based, chasing better work and essential services.
It cautioned that the urban boom strains roads, dirties the air, and fuels makeshift housing, especially in bustling centres like Abuja.
Economic growth amid persistent inequality
The report cheered Nigeria’s economy, which grew to a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of N60.9 trillion, climbing 3.19% in 2024 from 2.98% in 2023.
Yet, the prosperity skips many, leaving 63% of Nigerians stuck in widespread poverty, battling poor health, scant education, and low living standards.
It spotlighted ongoing divides by gender and age, with rural women hit hardest by poverty, limited medical care, and fewer classroom hours than men.
The report also flagged an 8.4% jobless rate for youths aged 15 to 24, with young women facing tougher odds than young men.
“These socioeconomic disparities have far-reaching implications for health outcomes, as poverty and unemployment are closely linked to poor health and limited access to healthcare services,” the report emphasized.
More insight
Crafted by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the report aims to paint a clear, broad view of Nigeria’s health scene.
It taps a variety of data to unpack public health, policy directions, and social influences on wellness, guiding decision-makers, caregivers, and others toward lifting health standards for every Nigerian.
