The population of Lagos State is estimated to be 17,156,400 In 2025, with a growth rate of about 3.75% from the previous year, 2024.
Lagos is known for its rapid population increase due to urban migration and a high birth rate. The city is one of Africa’s largest cities and continues to attract people looking for better job opportunities and living conditions.
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How Has Lagos State’s Population Changed Over the Years?
Lagos State has experienced remarkable population growth over the years, driven by different factors like economic opportunities, urbanization, and migration.
Starting in 1950, Lagos had a population of just 325,000 people. Growth remained relatively modest until the mid-20th century, but things began to change rapidly.
By 1960, the population had more than doubled to 762,000, with an annual growth rate of over 10%. This surge was partly due to the city’s increasing value as Nigeria’s economic and cultural hub.
The population growth rate remained high throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, with annual increases exceeding 6%.
By 1975, Lagos had nearly 1.9 million residents. The 1980s was another period of rapid growth, with the population consistently growing at rates above 6%.
By 1990, the city’s population reached 4.76 million, more than double its size just a decade earlier. This era saw Lagos as a magnet for people looking for better economic opportunities.
In the 1990s, growth rates began to slow slightly, but the population still expanded rapidly. By 2000, Lagos had 7.28 million people, growing at an annual rate of around 4%.
This trend continued into the early 2000s, with the population reaching nearly 10 million by 2010. Over the next decade, growth rates declined but remained significant, with around 3.2% to 3.8% annually.
By 2020, the population had surged to 14.37 million. From 2020 onward, Lagos continued its upward trajectory. By 2025, the population is projected to reach 17.16 million, with a growth rate of 3.75%.
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Lagos State Population By Local Government Area
Lagos State is divided into five main administrative areas: Ikorodu, Ikeja, Epe, Badagry, and Lagos Island, with Ikeja as the capital.
The state has 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Some of the LCDAs include Agbado/Oke-Odo, Agboyi-Ketu, Ayobo-Ipaja, and Bariga, among others. However, these divisions help manage the growing population and development of Lagos State.
No | Local Government Areas | Population (2025) |
---|---|---|
1 | Alimosho | 2,002,345 |
2 | Ajeromi-Ifelodun | 1,457,892 |
3 | Oshodi-Isolo | 1,623,478 |
4 | Kosofe | 667,234 |
5 | Mushin | 634,512 |
6 | Ojo | 599,876 |
7 | Ikorodu | 536,789 |
8 | Surulere | 505,654 |
9 | Agege | 462,987 |
10 | Ifako-Ijaiye | 429,456 |
11 | Shomolu | 403,678 |
12 | Amuwo-Odofin | 501,234 |
13 | Lagos Mainland | 318,456 |
14 | Ikeja | 314,789 |
15 | Eti-Osa | 288,123 |
16 | Badagry | 242,345 |
17 | Apapa | 218,912 |
18 | Lagos Island | 210,456 |
19 | Epe | 182,678 |
20 | Ibeju-Lekki | 118,765 |
The Demographics Of Lagos State In 2025
Age Distribution
Age Group | Percentage | Population Estimate |
---|---|---|
0-14 years | 40% | 6,862,560 |
15-64 years | 55% | 9,433,020 |
65 years and older | 5% | 857,820 |
Gender Distribution
Ethnicity
Ethnicity | Percentage |
---|---|
Yoruba | 45% |
Igbo | 20% |
Hausa-Fulani | 10% |
Other Ethnicities | 25% |