Health in Rivers, Nigeria: official figures
A baby born in Rivers in 2022 could expect to live 53.7 years if a boy and 57.3 years if a girl, according to NPC estimates; joint 10th shortest of the 36 states and the FCT (Nigeria: 55.1 and 57.2).
How many babies die in Rivers?
The infant mortality rate was 84.2 deaths before the first birthday per 1,000 live births in 2022, down from 96.5 in 2015 (NPC estimates).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many children in Rivers die before age five?
The 2023-24 Demographic and Health Survey found 54 deaths before age five per 1,000 live births in Rivers over the previous ten years, 11th 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 Rivers are vaccinated?
67.0% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Rivers 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 9.5% had received none; joint 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 Rivers are malnourished?
24.8% of children under five in Rivers were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2025-26, and 3.8% were wasted (too thin for their height); 8th lowest of the 36 states and the FCT (Nigeria: 41.1%).
Source: National Population Commission (with ICF) · saved copyDo women in Rivers give birth in hospital?
74.7% of recent mothers in Rivers had at least four antenatal visits and 70.8% of births took place in a health facility (2025-26; Nigeria: 58.5% and 47.8%); the share of facility births is 16th highest of the 36 states and the FCT.
Source: National Population Commission (with ICF) · saved copyHow much do people in Rivers spend on health care?
People in Rivers made 2.9 outpatient visits to health facilities each on average in the year before the 2025-26 survey and spent about ₦87,411 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 Rivers?
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria processed licence applications from 2,681 doctors practising in Rivers in 2022, about 35 per 100,000 residents; 5th highest of the 36 states and the FCT.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Rivers compares with other states
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years to 2023-24) (2014-2024)
Rivers ranks 27 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years to 2023-24) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Federal Capital Territory | 60 |
| 25 | Ogun | 60 |
| 26 | Osun | 55 |
| 27 | Rivers | 54 |
| 28 | Benue | 53 |
| 29 | Enugu | 49 |
| 30 | Niger | 49 |
Children 12-23 months fully vaccinated (basic antigens) (2025-26)
Rivers ranks 2 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months fully vaccinated (basic antigens) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imo | 67.0% |
| 2 | Rivers | 67.0% |
| 3 | Lagos | 64.3% |
| 4 | Osun | 60.9% |
| 5 | Edo | 59.7% |
| 6 | Bayelsa | 56.2% |
| 7 | Ekiti | 54.4% |
Children under 5 stunted (2025-26)
Rivers ranks 30 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Oyo | 26.8% |
| 28 | Federal Capital Territory | 26.7% |
| 29 | Kogi | 25.7% |
| 30 | Rivers | 24.8% |
| 31 | Ekiti | 23.6% |
| 32 | Lagos | 21.7% |
| 33 | Edo | 19.1% |
More on Rivers: 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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