Nigeria’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 5.3 children per woman in 2018 to 4.8 in 2024, signaling a notable demographic shift over the past five years, according to the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Report.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced the findings, attributing the decline to gradual improvements in access to and utilization of family planning services across the country.
Modern contraceptive use among currently married women increased modestly from 12% in 2018 to 15% in 2023, while the satisfied demand for family planning rose to 37%. However, the Minister cautioned that despite these gains, the levels remain insufficient for driving rapid socio-economic development.
The NDHS report also highlighted progress in maternal and child health indicators. The under-five mortality rate dropped significantly from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 per 1,000 in 2024. Health service coverage improved with antenatal care coverage at 63%, skilled birth attendance at 46%, and postnatal care within two days after delivery increasing from 38% in 2018 to 42% in 2024.
A key challenge identified was the near-stagnant neonatal mortality rate, which rose slightly from 39 to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births during this period. Dr. Salako stressed the need for intensified efforts to reduce neonatal deaths, which now account for approximately 40–45% of under-five mortality.
Highlighting the report’s implications, the Minister said the findings reveal urgent gaps that demand coordinated responses. The Ministry is translating these insights into policy reforms through initiatives such as the Maternal and Neonatal Fatality Reduction Initiative and the Nigerian Child Survivor Act (2023–2025). These programs aim to enhance health investment targeting, improve coordination, and strengthen community engagement.
Hon. Nasir Kwarra, Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), which carried out the survey, emphasized the NDHS as a critical tool for monitoring population trends and health indicators. He noted that the 2024 edition provides timely evidence amid a growing need for reliable data.
“The successful implementation of the survey reaffirms that data is not just a technical output but a public good that empowers evidence-based governance,” Kwarra said.
The 2024 NDHS is the sixth in the series since 1999, covering 42,000 households nationwide during fieldwork conducted between December 1, 2023, and May 5, 2024.
