The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) unveiled its 7th Edition of the Demographic Statistics Bulletin 2022, revealing a consistent and substantial increase in life expectancy rates for both males and females in Nigeria from 2015 to 2022.
Released in Abuja on Tuesday, the statistical bulletin encompasses a wide array of demographic indicators, including population figures, trafficking in persons, fertility rates, mortality rates, reproductive health, health records, remittances, and National Identification Number (NIN) registrations between 2019 and 2022.
According to the report, life expectancy at birth for males has risen from 53.2 years in 2015 to 55.1 years in 2022. Similarly, life expectancy for females increased from 55.3 years in 2015 to 57.2 years in 2022. It was highlighted that females consistently boasted a higher life expectancy than males, surpassing them by 2.1 years in both 2021 and 2022.
Attributing these positive trends to improvements in women’s and children’s welfare, along with enhancements in Nigeria’s healthcare system, the NBS noted a decline in cause-specific mortality rates as a contributing factor.
Despite these improvements, the NBS stressed the importance of further advancements in life expectancy by advocating for governmental investments in health-promoting policies. The report emphasized the significance of focusing these investments on bolstering healthcare for women and children, improving child nutrition, reducing air pollution, expanding family planning services, and ensuring access to safe drinking water.
The report said, “It is important to note that the life expectancy at birth for the female population in Nigeria is higher than the male population.
“The life expectancy of females exceeded males by 2.1 years each in 2021 and 2022.
“These increases indicate that there have been improvements over the period in the well-being of women and children (both males and females) as well as improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“It also shows that there was a decline in cause-specific mortality rate.”
Additionally, the bulletin highlighted disparities in contraceptive usage across Nigerian states, with Jigawa exhibiting the highest non-compliance rate with contraceptive methods and Lagos showcasing the lowest. The report also unveiled disparities in the adoption of modern contraceptive methods, with Lagos exhibiting a significantly higher usage rate compared to Jigawa.
Furthermore, the report divulged insights into human trafficking, remittance flows, and NIN registrations. It highlighted the UK as the leading source of inward remittance, while the USA recorded the highest outward flow. In terms of human trafficking, the report identified Benin Republic as the primary destination for rescued foreign victims, whereas Mali ranked highest among countries where Nigerian victims were rescued.
The NBS also underscored a substantial increase in NIN registrations in 2021 compared to previous years, attributing the surge to the Federal Government’s registration deadline. It attributed lower registration figures in 2020 to the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures.
The comprehensive report provides invaluable insights into various demographic aspects and highlights the critical need for sustained efforts to enhance healthcare and social welfare in Nigeria.
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