Health in Cross River, Nigeria: official figures
A baby born in Cross River in 2022 could expect to live 59.6 years if a boy and 65.4 years if a girl, according to NPC estimates; the longest of the 36 states and the FCT (Nigeria: 55.1 and 57.2).
How many babies die in Cross River?
The infant mortality rate was 57.0 deaths before the first birthday per 1,000 live births in 2022, down from 69.4 in 2015 (NPC estimates).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many children in Cross River die before age five?
The 2023-24 Demographic and Health Survey found 60 deaths before age five per 1,000 live births in Cross River over the previous ten years, joint 13th lowest of the 36 states and the FCT.
Source: National Population Commission and Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (with ICF) · saved copyHow many children in Cross River are vaccinated?
47.0% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Cross River had received all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses each of pentavalent and polio, and measles) in the 2025-26 mini Demographic and Health Survey, and 2.3% had received none; 15th highest of the 36 states and the FCT (Nigeria: 39.7% fully vaccinated, 29.4% none).
Source: National Population Commission (with ICF) · saved copyHow many children in Cross River are malnourished?
29.4% of children under five in Cross River were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2025-26, and 7.8% were wasted (too thin for their height); 15th lowest of the 36 states and the FCT (Nigeria: 41.1%).
Source: National Population Commission (with ICF) · saved copyDo women in Cross River give birth in hospital?
71.7% of recent mothers in Cross River had at least four antenatal visits and 68.8% of births took place in a health facility (2025-26; Nigeria: 58.5% and 47.8%); the share of facility births is 17th highest of the 36 states and the FCT.
Source: National Population Commission (with ICF) · saved copyHow much do people in Cross River spend on health care?
People in Cross River made 3.6 outpatient visits to health facilities each on average in the year before the 2025-26 survey and spent about ₦64,060 per person on outpatient and inpatient care (Nigeria: 4.2 visits and ₦70,319).
Source: National Population Commission (with ICF) · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Cross River?
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria processed licence applications from 952 doctors practising in Cross River in 2022, about 21 per 100,000 residents; 18th lowest of the 36 states and the FCT.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Cross River compares with other states
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years to 2023-24) (2014-2024)
Cross River ranks 23 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years to 2023-24) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Anambra | 72 |
| 21 | Abia | 69 |
| 22 | Ebonyi | 68 |
| 23 | Cross River | 60 |
| 24 | Federal Capital Territory | 60 |
| 25 | Ogun | 60 |
| 26 | Osun | 55 |
Children 12-23 months fully vaccinated (basic antigens) (2025-26)
Cross River ranks 15 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months fully vaccinated (basic antigens) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Oyo | 51.8% |
| 13 | Jigawa | 50.5% |
| 14 | Kano | 47.7% |
| 15 | Cross River | 47.0% |
| 16 | Ebonyi | 46.3% |
| 17 | Benue | 43.1% |
| 18 | Akwa Ibom | 42.8% |
Children under 5 stunted (2025-26)
Cross River ranks 23 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Ondo | 31.5% |
| 21 | Abia | 31.0% |
| 22 | Ogun | 30.5% |
| 23 | Cross River | 29.4% |
| 24 | Ebonyi | 28.7% |
| 25 | Akwa Ibom | 27.3% |
| 26 | Nasarawa | 27.3% |
More on Cross River: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Nigeria
Sources
- National Bureau of Statistics: Annual Abstract of Statistics 2023, Table 111: doctors by state of practice, 2022 (Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e033cb20cc2d…)
- National Population Commission (with ICF): Nigeria Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2025-26, Key Indicators Report: Tables 8, 10, 12, 16 and 17 by state, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6917a48ddb5f…)
- National Population Commission and Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (with ICF): Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2023-24, Key Indicators Report: Tables 4, 11 and 14 (fertility, child mortality, birth registration by state), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 94af6e60f7ed…)
- National Bureau of Statistics: Demographic Statistics Bulletin 2022, Annexes 7-12: births, deaths, life expectancy, fertility and infant mortality by state (NPC), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b1ee55e5952a…)
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