Figures checked 1 November 2026
Election 2027: 16 Jan
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Up to four places side by side: Nigeria, its six zones and its 37 states. Every figure is on one scale, with its source.

  • Akwa Ibom
  • Bayelsa
  • Rivers
  • Cross River

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State · South South

Akwa Ibom

Capital: Uyo

Fertility rate (survey)
3.3 births per woman2024 · 32 of 37
Literacy, women
86.8%2024 · 8 of 37
Basic vaccination
50.8%2024 · 16 of 37

State · South South

Bayelsa

Capital: Yenagoa

Fertility rate (survey)
3.8 births per woman2024 · 22 of 37
Literacy, women
82.6%2024 · 12 of 37
Basic vaccination
63.4%2024 · 4 of 37

State · South South

Rivers

Capital: Port Harcourt

Fertility rate (survey)
2.9 births per woman2024 · 37 of 37
Literacy, women
83.5%2024 · 9 of 37
Basic vaccination
55.7%2024 · 10 of 37

State · South South

Cross River

Capital: Calabar

Fertility rate (survey)
3.0 births per woman2024 · 36 of 37
Literacy, women
81.6%2024 · 15 of 37
Basic vaccination
68.6%2024 · 1 of 37

Key differences

Scorecard

FigureAkwa IbomBayelsaRiversCross River
Population
Fertility rate (survey)3.3 births per woman 2024 · 32/373.8 births per woman 2024 · 22/37Highest2.9 births per woman 2024 · 37/373.0 births per woman 2024 · 36/37
Health
Basic vaccination50.8% 2024 · 16/3763.4% 2024 · 4/3755.7% 2024 · 10/3768.6% 2024 · 1/37Highest
Births in a health facility38.6% 2024 · 26/3746.1% 2024 · 22/3756.9% 2024 · 18/3758.8% 2024 · 17/37Highest
Child stunting24.1% 2024 · 23/3727.6% 2024 · 21/37Highest12.3% 2024 · 37/3721.0% 2024 · 26/37
Under-5 mortality (survey)80 per 1,000 births 2024 · 17/37Highest73 per 1,000 births 2024 · 19/3754 per 1,000 births 2024 · 27/3760 per 1,000 births 2024 · 25/37
Education
Literacy, men77.0% 2024 · 20/3794.9% 2024 · 5/37Highest87.2% 2024 · 13/3791.1% 2024 · 10/37
Literacy, women86.8% 2024 · 8/37Highest82.6% 2024 · 12/3783.5% 2024 · 9/3781.6% 2024 · 15/37
Energy
Households with electricity60.3% 2024 · 18/3764.1% 2024 · 16/3786.3% 2024 · 5/37Highest39.1% 2024 · 26/37

“Highest” marks the largest value, not the best result: for some figures, such as child deaths, lower is better. Ranks are among the states in the same survey round.

Then and now

How each figure changed between the earliest and latest period all 4 places share. Whether a rise is good news depends on the figure.

Fertility rate (survey)2013 to 2024
3.93.34.53.83.82.95.43
  • Akwa Ibom−0.6
  • Bayelsa−0.7
  • Rivers−0.9
  • Cross River−2.4

Biggest change: Cross River, which fell by 2.4 births per woman.

Basic vaccination2013 to 2024
48.0%50.8%51.5%63.4%55.5%55.7%52.5%68.6%
  • Akwa Ibom+2.8 points
  • Bayelsa+11.9 points
  • Rivers+0.2 points
  • Cross River+16.1 points

Biggest change: Cross River, which rose by 16.1 points.

Births in a health facility2013 to 2024
46.4%38.6%25.9%46.1%51.2%56.9%41.2%58.8%
  • Akwa Ibom−7.8 points
  • Bayelsa+20.2 points
  • Rivers+5.7 points
  • Cross River+17.6 points

Biggest change: Bayelsa, which rose by 20.2 points.

Child stunting2013 to 2024
22.4%24.1%20.5%27.6%16.1%12.3%21.7%21.0%
  • Akwa Ibom+1.7 points
  • Bayelsa+7.1 points
  • Rivers−3.8 points
  • Cross River−0.7 points

Biggest change: Bayelsa, which rose by 7.1 points.

Under-5 mortality (survey)2013 to 2024
79809173985410460
  • Akwa Ibom+1
  • Bayelsa−18
  • Rivers−44
  • Cross River−44

Biggest change: Rivers, which fell by 44 per 1,000 births.

Literacy, men2013 to 2024
89.9%77.0%92.1%94.9%96.9%87.2%91.6%91.1%
  • Akwa Ibom−12.9 points
  • Bayelsa+2.8 points
  • Rivers−9.7 points
  • Cross River−0.5 points

Biggest change: Akwa Ibom, which fell by 12.9 points.

Literacy, women2013 to 2024
84.6%86.8%78.2%82.6%84.6%83.5%72.8%81.6%
  • Akwa Ibom+2.2 points
  • Bayelsa+4.4 points
  • Rivers−1.1 points
  • Cross River+8.8 points

Biggest change: Cross River, which rose by 8.8 points.

Households with electricity2013 to 2024
68.0%60.3%52.5%64.1%65.1%86.3%57.4%39.1%
  • Akwa Ibom−7.7 points
  • Bayelsa+11.6 points
  • Rivers+21.2 points
  • Cross River−18.3 points

Biggest change: Rivers, which rose by 21.2 points.

Most similar states

The states whose figures are closest overall, across every figure published for all states. Similar figures, not a judgement.

Figure by figure

Population

Total fertility rate (DHS, births per woman)

  • Akwa Ibom3.3 births per woman2024 · 32 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa3.8 births per woman2024 · 22 of 37 states
  • Rivers2.9 births per woman2024 · 37 of 37 states
  • Cross River3.0 births per woman2024 · 36 of 37 states

Fertility rate (survey): highest in Bayelsa (3.8 births per woman), lowest in Rivers (2.9 births per woman), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Health

Children 12–23 months with all basic vaccinations (%)

  • Akwa Ibom50.8%2024 · 16 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa63.4%2024 · 4 of 37 states
  • Rivers55.7%2024 · 10 of 37 states
  • Cross River68.6%2024 · 1 of 37 states

Basic vaccination: highest in Cross River (68.6%), lowest in Akwa Ibom (50.8%), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Births delivered in a health facility (%)

  • Akwa Ibom38.6%2024 · 26 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa46.1%2024 · 22 of 37 states
  • Rivers56.9%2024 · 18 of 37 states
  • Cross River58.8%2024 · 17 of 37 states

Births in a health facility: highest in Cross River (58.8%), lowest in Akwa Ibom (38.6%), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Children under 5 who are stunted (%)

  • Akwa Ibom24.1%2024 · 23 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa27.6%2024 · 21 of 37 states
  • Rivers12.3%2024 · 37 of 37 states
  • Cross River21.0%2024 · 26 of 37 states

Child stunting: highest in Bayelsa (27.6%), lowest in Rivers (12.3%), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Under-five mortality rate (DHS, per 1,000 live births)

  • Akwa Ibom80 per 1,000 births2024 · 17 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa73 per 1,000 births2024 · 19 of 37 states
  • Rivers54 per 1,000 births2024 · 27 of 37 states
  • Cross River60 per 1,000 births2024 · 25 of 37 states

Under-5 mortality (survey): highest in Akwa Ibom (80 per 1,000 births), lowest in Rivers (54 per 1,000 births), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Education

Men aged 15–49 who are literate (%)

  • Akwa Ibom77.0%2024 · 20 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa94.9%2024 · 5 of 37 states
  • Rivers87.2%2024 · 13 of 37 states
  • Cross River91.1%2024 · 10 of 37 states

Literacy, men: highest in Bayelsa (94.9%), lowest in Akwa Ibom (77.0%), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Women aged 15–49 who are literate (%)

  • Akwa Ibom86.8%2024 · 8 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa82.6%2024 · 12 of 37 states
  • Rivers83.5%2024 · 9 of 37 states
  • Cross River81.6%2024 · 15 of 37 states

Literacy, women: highest in Akwa Ibom (86.8%), lowest in Cross River (81.6%), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together

Energy

Households with electricity (%)

  • Akwa Ibom60.3%2024 · 18 of 37 states
  • Bayelsa64.1%2024 · 16 of 37 states
  • Rivers86.3%2024 · 5 of 37 states
  • Cross River39.1%2024 · 26 of 37 states

Households with electricity: highest in Rivers (86.3%), lowest in Cross River (39.1%), 2024.

Source: The DHS Program (ICF), Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS Program API).

Together