The World Bank has highlighted a notable increase in Nigeria’s poverty levels, which reached 63 percent in 2025, even as inflationary pressures have shown signs of moderation.
This development underscores the limited impact of recent macroeconomic measures on improving the living conditions of the average citizen.
While price stability has improved to some extent, a large segment of the population continues to grapple with economic hardships that hinder progress in reducing widespread deprivation.
According to the latest assessment, the share of Nigerians living below the national poverty line rose from 56 percent in 2023 to 61 percent in 2024, before climbing further to 63 percent in 2025.
This corresponds to approximately 140 million people affected by poverty. The data reveals a persistent disconnect between broader economic indicators and actual improvements in household welfare across the country.
The sustained rise in poverty is largely attributed to insufficient growth in real incomes, which has not kept pace with ongoing cost-of-living challenges. Consequently, the advantages of declining inflation have yet to translate into meaningful relief for vulnerable households.
The report stresses the importance of implementing targeted policies to address these structural constraints, thereby promoting inclusive economic growth and supporting the most affected segments of Nigerian society.
