Cross River State Population 2026

Cross River State had an official population of 2,888,966 in the 2006 National Population Commission census, making it one of Nigeria's significant populated states at the time. Applying the NBS average annual growth rate of 2.8% for the state, the population is estimated at 5,018,856 in 2026, representing a significant increase over the two decades since the census. The state capital Calabar is the largest urban centre, with a 2026 estimated population of 550,000. Urban population accounts for approximately 32.0% of the total, while 68.0% of residents live in rural areas. With a land area of 20,156 km², the population density is approximately 249 people per square kilometre.

Cross River State has a young population, with approximately 43.5% of residents under 15 years of age and 19.9% in the 15-24 age bracket — together representing the youth bulge characteristic of Nigeria's demographic profile. Working-age adults (25-54) make up 29.4% of the population, while seniors aged 55-64 and 65 and above account for 4.5% and 2.7% respectively. The gender split is approximately 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

The population of Cross River State has grown steadily since the 2006 census, driven by high fertility rates, improved access to healthcare reducing infant mortality, and rural-to-urban migration. Nigeria's population growth rate of approximately 2.8% annually means that Cross River State's population doubles roughly every 25 years (Rule of 70). By 2030, the state is projected to reach 5,605,020 residents. The absence of an updated national census since 2006 means that all post-2006 figures are estimates based on demographic modelling by the National Bureau of Statistics and UN Population Division. Nigeria's long-awaited census, postponed multiple times, will provide updated official data when completed.