Nigeria Ranks 4th Globally in Homeless Population Amid Worsening Housing Crisis

Nigeria has been identified as one of the countries with the largest homeless populations in the world, ranking fourth with an estimated 4.5 million people lacking stable shelter. This places Africa’s most populous nation alongside countries facing severe conflict and social challenges, highlighting the scale of Nigeria’s housing and social welfare problems.

Global data shows Pakistan leads with about 8 million homeless people, followed by Bangladesh (5 million) and Afghanistan (4.66 million). Nigeria and the Philippines are tied for fourth place, each with roughly 4.5 million homeless citizens.

Experts attribute Nigeria’s high ranking to rapid urbanization, population growth, economic hardship, insecurity, climate-related displacement, and limited access to affordable housing. Cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Aba, and Ibadan attract millions seeking better opportunities, but insufficient housing infrastructure forces many into informal settlements, overcrowded shelters, or street living.

Homelessness in Nigeria also includes internally displaced persons affected by insurgency and banditry, flood victims, urban poor without secure tenure, and families forced into temporary shelters due to poverty or eviction. Seasonal flooding has worsened the situation, displacing thousands annually.

While other African nations, including Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Uganda, also feature prominently on the global homelessness list, Nigeria’s economic size and regional influence make its high ranking particularly concerning.

Globally, homelessness affects both developed and developing countries. The United States ranks 23rd with over 650,000 homeless people, while the United Kingdom is 27th with about 380,000. Experts note that actual figures may be higher, as data collection is inconsistent across countries.

Calls for urgent action in Nigeria emphasize large-scale investment in affordable housing, stronger social protection programs, improved urban planning, and coordinated responses to displacement caused by insecurity and climate change. Civil society groups warn that without decisive intervention, homelessness will continue to grow alongside the country’s population, deepening inequality and social instability.

Nigeria’s position among the world’s worst-affected countries serves as a stark reminder that economic growth must be paired with inclusive policies to guarantee safe and dignified housing for all.