Country comparison

Germany vs Nigeria

Germany leads on 3 of 6 metrics, Nigeria on 3. Here's the full side-by-side breakdown.

Population
83,491,249
237,527,782
▲ Nigeria — a larger population
Area
357,114 km²
923,768 km²
▲ Nigeria — more land area
GDP (nominal)
$5.05T
$290.79B
▲ Germany — a bigger economy
GDP per capita
$60,496
$1,224
▲ Germany — higher GDP per capita
Human Development Index
0.959
0.560
▲ Germany — a higher HDI
Population density
234 /km²
257 /km²
▲ Nigeria — greater population density
Development profile (each axis 0–100%, higher is stronger)
WealthHealthHuman dev.InternetUrbanSurvival
Germany Nigeria

Germany vs Nigeria: the verdict

Nigeria is the more populous of the two, home to 237.53 million people — about 2.8× the population of Germany (83.49 million).

On the economy, Germany has the larger nominal GDP at $5.05T. But measured per person, Germany comes out ahead on GDP per capita ($60,496), a better proxy for average living standards.

Geographically, Nigeria is the larger country, spanning 923,768 km².

Germany records the higher Human Development Index (0.959), reflecting stronger combined outcomes in health, education and income (source: UNDP).

Overall the two are evenly matched across these headline metrics — the "winner" depends on which measures matter most to you.

Full breakdown

Germany
Economy
Nigeria
GDP (PPP)
$6.14T
$2.11T
GDP per capita (PPP)
$73,552
$9,087
GDP growth
0.2%
4.0%
Inflation
2.2%
23.0%
Unemployment
3.7%
3.1%
Germany
People
Nigeria
Life expectancy
80.8 yrs
54.6 yrs
Fertility rate
1.36
4.38
Population growth
-0.0%
2.1%
Urban population
82.1%
63.8%
Infant mortality (per 1,000)
3.1
69.8
Germany
Quality of Life
Nigeria
Internet users
93.5%
41.2%
Literacy rate
70.4%
Physicians (per 1,000)
4.53
0.38
Renewable energy
17.6%
80.3%
GDP over time (nominal, US$)
$0$1.33T$2.65T$3.98T$5.3T197019982025 Germany Nigeria

Government & politics

Germany
Who holds power
Nigeria
Government type
Federal parliamentary republic
Federal presidential republic
Head of state
President
President
Head of government
Chancellor
President
Executive power
Chancellor & Cabinet
President
Ceremonial head
President
President
Commands military
Minister of Defence (peacetime), Chancellor (wartime)
President (Commander-in-Chief)
Legislature
Bundestag & Bundesrat
National Assembly
Judiciary
Federal Constitutional Court
Independent Supreme Court

Germany

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic. The President is a ceremonial head of state, while the Chancellor is the powerful head of government, elected by and answerable to the Bundestag. Germany's system is known for the 'constructive vote of no confidence' — parliament can only remove a Chancellor by simultaneously electing a replacement, which produces unusually stable governments. The powerful Federal Constitutional Court guards the constitution (the Basic Law), and the 16 states (Länder) hold substantial powers.

Nigeria

Nigeria is a federal presidential republic modelled on the United States. The President is both head of state and government, directly elected, and shares power with a bicameral National Assembly and an independent judiciary. Its 36 states hold significant powers, and elections balance ethnic and regional interests across a large, diverse federation.

Travel & practical

Germany
At a glance
Nigeria
Capital
Berlin
Abuja
Currency
EUR
NGN
Languages
German
English
Dialing code
+49
+234
Internet TLD
.de
.ng

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Frequently asked questions

Which country has a higher GDP, Germany or Nigeria?

Germany has the higher nominal GDP at $5.05T, compared with $290.79B for Nigeria (World Bank).

Which country has a larger population, Germany or Nigeria?

Nigeria has the larger population with 237,527,782 people, versus 83,491,249 for Germany.

Which is larger in area, Germany or Nigeria?

Nigeria is larger, covering 923,768 km² compared with 357,114 km² for Germany.

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