World Bank Report: 75.5% of Rural Nigerians Live in Poverty
Deepening Economic Crisis Hits Nigeria’s Most Vulnerable
The World Bank has revealed alarming statistics showing rural poverty in Nigeria has reached 75.5%, with the country’s most vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of economic stagnation, insecurity, and persistent inflation.
Urban vs Rural Poverty Divide
In its April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief for Nigeria, the Bank reported the poverty rate among Nigeria’s rural population is nearly double that of urban dwellers, where 41.3% are classified as poor. The data was drawn from Nigeria’s most recent nationally representative household surveys.
Worsening Poverty Trends
According to the report, 30.9% of Nigerians were living below the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 per day in 2018/19, before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, poverty levels have worsened considerably since then. The World Bank now estimates that by 2024, over 54% of Nigerians will be living in poverty.
“Multiple shocks in a context of high economic insecurity have deepened and broadened poverty,” the report stated. “Since 2018/19, an additional 42 million people fell into poverty.”
Regional and Demographic Disparities
The Bank revealed the poverty burden is not evenly distributed:
- Northern zones show poverty rates of 46.5% compared to 13.5% in southern regions
- Children aged 0-14 are among the worst affected (72.5% poverty rate)
- Gender disparities exist, with 63.9% of females and 63.1% of males classified as poor
Education as Poverty Determinant
The report identified education as a key factor:
- 79.5% poverty rate among adults with no formal education
- 61.9% for those with only primary education
- Even with secondary education, half still lived below poverty line
- Tertiary education reduced poverty to 25.4%
Multidimensional Poverty Challenges
The World Bank highlighted critical infrastructure gaps:
- 32.6% lack access to clean drinking water
- 45.1% without adequate sanitation
- 39.4% have no electricity
- 17.6% of adults haven’t completed primary education
Structural Economic Weaknesses
The report linked rising poverty to:
- Dependence on oil revenues
- Lack of job creation
- Limited agricultural productivity
- Climate change impacts on rural livelihoods
Policy Recommendations
The World Bank urged Nigeria to:
- Strengthen social protection systems
- Invest in human capital development
- Diversify the economy beyond oil
- Implement reforms to create productive employment
While acknowledging government cash transfer programs for 15 million households, the Bank emphasized these efforts remain insufficient to address the scale of Nigeria’s poverty crisis.
Full credit to the original publisher: The Citizen