Report: Nigeria near ‘demographic disaster’ unless economy can support growing population

Report: Nigeria on cusp of ‘demographic disaster’

LAGOS, Nigeria — A new report warns that Nigeria is teetering on the edge of a “demographic disaster” unless its stagnant economy rapidly expands to support its teeming youth population.

Estimates in the report by the British Council show Nigeria’s population of 150 million people will swell by another 63 million people by 2050, making it the fifth most populous countries in the world. With more than 40 percent of the West African nation’s population younger than 14, the report predicts the country could have a ready supply of workers into the future.

However, the oil-rich nation’s gross domestic product remains flat and jobs scarce.

The British Council, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the U.K. government and private donors, released the report Wednesday.