Nigeria’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen from 5.3 children per woman in 2018 to 4.8 in 2024, signaling a notable demographic shift over the last five years, according to the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, revealed the findings, attributing the steady decline to increased access to and use of family planning services across the country.
Modern contraceptive use among currently married women rose slightly from 12% in 2018 to 15% in 2023, while the proportion of women whose family planning needs are met climbed to 37%. Dr. Salako noted that, although progress is being made, the current pace remains below what is needed for accelerated socio-economic growth.
The NDHS report also recorded progress in several maternal and child health indicators. The under-five mortality rate dropped from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 per 1,000 in 2024. Health service coverage improved as well: antenatal care coverage reached 63%, skilled birth attendance rose to 46%, and postnatal care within two days of delivery increased from 38% in 2018 to 42% in 2024.
However, the neonatal mortality rate showed little improvement, increasing slightly from 39 to 41 per 1,000 live births over the same period. Dr. Salako emphasized the need for intensified efforts to curb neonatal deaths, which now account for about 40–45% of under-five mortality.
He said the survey findings highlight urgent gaps that require coordinated policy responses. The government is addressing these through initiatives such as the Maternal and Maternal Fatality Reduction Initiative and the Nigerian Child Survivor Act (2023–2025), both aimed at improving health investments, coordination, and community participation.
Hon. Nasir Kwarra, Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), which conducted the survey, described the NDHS as a crucial tool for understanding population dynamics and health outcomes. He noted that the 2024 edition provides timely, evidence-based insights for national planning.
“The successful conduct of the survey reaffirms that data is not just a technical product but a public good that strengthens evidence-based governance,” Kwarra said.
The 2024 NDHS, the sixth since 1999, covered 42,000 households nationwide during its fieldwork phase from December 1, 2023, to May 5, 2024.
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