Nigeria Leads Africa in Homeless Population With 4.5 Million People

Nigeria has been ranked as the African country with the highest estimated homeless population, with about 4.5 million people classified as homeless in 2025, according to data from the World Population Review cited by Daily Trust.

The figure places Nigeria ahead of other African countries facing significant homelessness challenges, including Uganda and Sudan. Uganda is estimated to have about four million homeless people, while Sudan has approximately three million.

The figures highlight the scale of Nigeria’s housing challenges as rapid urbanisation, rising rents and population movement continue to place pressure on available accommodation.

Major cities, including Lagos, Abuja and Kano, are among the urban centres affected by the shortage of affordable housing, with growing numbers of people struggling to secure accommodation within their means.

The situation also raises concerns about the conditions under which people without stable shelter are forced to live.

Children are particularly vulnerable, with homelessness and the lack of stable accommodation exposing some to street life and hazardous forms of work. UNICEF has highlighted the risks faced by vulnerable children who lack adequate shelter and protection.

Nigeria’s position in the ranking comes against the background of a broader housing crisis across Africa. Rapid population growth and urbanisation have increased demand for housing, while the supply of affordable and adequate accommodation has struggled to keep pace.

The pressure is particularly pronounced in major cities, where high rents and limited access to affordable homes have made housing increasingly difficult for low-income households.

The data also comes amid continuing concerns about Nigeria’s housing deficit and the cost of providing new homes.

The World Population Review’s homelessness figures have varied by data year and methodology. Its current country table, for example, lists Nigeria’s larger 24.4 million estimate against a 2020 data year, underscoring the importance of considering the underlying year and definition when comparing homelessness figures internationally.

A separate United Nations report has also cited an estimate of more than 24.4 million homeless people in Nigeria, while noting that Africa faces a wider housing crisis driven by rapid urbanisation and the growth of informal settlements.

The housing situation is further complicated by the cost of construction, land acquisition, infrastructure and property registration, all of which can affect the pace at which new housing is supplied.

Addressing homelessness therefore requires not only increasing the number of homes available but also ensuring that new housing is affordable and accessible to households that need it most.

With Nigeria’s population continuing to grow and urban centres attracting people in search of jobs and better opportunities, the demand for affordable housing is expected to remain a major challenge for policymakers, developers and communities.

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The UK government has unveiled a £442 million housing support package aimed at helping people sleeping rough move off the streets before Christmas, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham steps up efforts to tackle the country’s homelessness crisis.

The programme will provide emergency accommodation and longer-term housing support across England, with areas experiencing the highest levels of homelessness and housing pressure expected to receive the largest share of the funding.

Burnham said no one should have to sleep in doorways or outside railway stations, arguing that the scale of rough sleeping should not be accepted as normal in one of the world’s largest economies.

The announcement comes amid a significant increase in rough sleeping across England.

Government figures show that 4,793 people were sleeping rough in England in 2025, the highest figure recorded.

However, rough sleepers represent only a fraction of the country’s wider homeless population.

Housing charity Shelter estimated that about 382,000 people were homeless in England in 2025. This broader figure includes people living in temporary accommodation, families and children without permanent housing, and people without secure tenure.

The figures highlight the difference between rough sleeping and the wider housing crisis.

While getting people off the streets is an immediate priority, the larger challenge involves providing enough affordable and secure housing to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.

The £442 million programme will not be limited to emergency accommodation.

The government said the funding will also support the creation of more than 1,000 permanent homes over the next three years.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the government was acting urgently to help people leave the streets, move into secure homes and access the support required to rebuild their lives.

The approach reflects an important principle in homelessness policy. Emergency accommodation can provide immediate protection, but permanent housing is needed to create long-term stability.

Burnham pointed to the UK’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence that government can move people sleeping rough into accommodation quickly when there is sufficient political will.

He argued that a similar effort could be mounted again to address the current crisis.

The government also plans to hold its first national summit dedicated specifically to tackling rough sleeping later this year.

Local leaders, including mayors, will be expected to play a major role in implementing the programme before Christmas.

Although the government has allocated £442 million, Burnham acknowledged that the funding may not be enough to completely achieve the target.

He has therefore called on wider society, including faith organisations and community groups, to contribute to the effort.

The programme is expected to be funded from the existing housing ministry budget rather than through a newly announced funding source.

This has already attracted criticism from opposition parties, with Conservative housing spokesman James Cleverly questioning how the government intends to deliver and finance the commitment.

Homelessness charities broadly welcomed the announcement, particularly the commitment to combine emergency accommodation with longer-term housing.

However, concerns remain over whether the programme will address the structural causes of homelessness.

Housing affordability, limited housing supply, insecure tenancies, rising rents and pressure on local authorities can all contribute to people losing stable accommodation.

Without addressing those underlying factors, emergency interventions risk treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

The UK’s homelessness figures demonstrate that housing crises are not limited to developing economies.

Even countries with large economies can struggle when housing supply, affordability and household incomes fall out of balance.

For policymakers, the challenge is therefore twofold. Governments must respond quickly to people already experiencing homelessness while also increasing the supply of affordable and secure homes.

The UK’s latest programme attempts to do both by combining immediate accommodation with funding for permanent housing.

Its success, however, will ultimately depend on whether those leaving the streets can move into stable, affordable homes rather than simply temporary accommodation.

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What is a Housing Emergency and Its Implications? A housing emergency declaration acknowledges the significant problems within Scotland’s housing system. Ministers are urging the reversal of cuts to Holyrood’s capital budget, which is determined by Westminster. While the declaration itself does not automatically resolve these issues, campaigners hope it will prompt politicians to take decisive action.

The Housing Crisis in Scotland Scotland faces a shortage of affordable, quality housing. The underlying causes are complex and vary regionally. Key issues include a lack of social housing, rising private rents, and increasing mortgage costs, making it difficult for first-time buyers and those seeking to refinance.

Impact of the Housing Emergency Declaration Last year, Scottish Labour proposed the declaration of a housing emergency, but the SNP initially voted against it. However, following the collapse of the SNP’s power-sharing deal with the Greens, the SNP conceded the emergency, attributing the crisis to UK government austerity and Brexit. Despite UK ministers asserting that Scotland receives more funding per capita than other UK regions, the Scottish government has made significant budget cuts. Earlier this year, the affordable housing budget was reduced by £200 million, and even with an announced increase of £80 million, the real-term cut remains substantial.

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The Scale of the Problem Shelter Scotland’s analysis reveals nearly 10,000 children are trapped in temporary accommodation, a record high and a 138% increase since 2014. Additionally, there has been a 10% rise in households becoming homeless compared to the previous year, and local homelessness services are overwhelmed. The construction of new social housing has significantly slowed, exacerbating the crisis.

Rising Homelessness The Scottish government attributes the rise in homelessness to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. Most homeless individuals are not rough sleepers but reside in temporary council-provided accommodation.

Social Housing Shortage The early 1980s saw 51% of Scots living in council homes. However, the Right to Buy legislation under Margaret Thatcher led to a significant reduction in social housing stock. The lack of investment in new social housing further contributes to the current shortage, with social housing now comprising less than a quarter of homes in Scotland.

Increasing Private Rents The average monthly rent in Scotland is now £947, having risen by 10.5% in the 12 months to March—the highest increase in the UK. Despite a temporary cap on rent increases, landlords have raised prices due to higher costs associated with running rental properties.

Challenges for Homeowners and First-Time Buyers Mortgage interest rates have surged, leading to higher monthly payments and increased financial strain on homeowners. First-time buyers face substantial challenges, with average house prices exceeding £190,000 and high deposit requirements.

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Local Declarations of Housing Emergencies Several Scottish councils, including Argyll and Bute, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, and West Dunbartonshire, have declared housing emergencies. These declarations signal the need for governmental intervention to address pressures on homelessness services, rising property prices, and the shortage of affordable housing.

Current Housing Situations Across Scotland In Argyll and Bute, homelessness has risen, and housing choices have decreased due to increasing property prices and rents. Edinburgh faces similar issues, with short-term lets reducing housing availability for residents. Aberdeen struggles with structural problems in social homes, adding pressure to accommodation supply.

The declaration of a housing emergency by the Scottish government aims to bring much-needed attention and action to address these widespread and complex housing issues across the country.

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The council has sought a meeting with Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, to explore avenues for reducing current expenditure levels.

This appeal comes amidst the council’s imminent decision to allocate £1.65 million in grants to combat rough sleeping within the city. With 220 households already in temporary accommodation and projections indicating a rise to 315 by July, the council is gravely concerned about the financial strain and inefficiency of utilizing costly hotels as interim housing solutions.

Scheduled for approval on March 13, the council’s cabinet is poised to allocate £1.65 million towards homelessness prevention efforts, with a significant portion earmarked for supported accommodation initiatives.

While acknowledging the government’s existing subsidy framework for temporary accommodation, Councilor Susan Brown, the leader of Oxford City Council, emphasized the urgent need for additional support.

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She stressed that the current situation not only poses a financial crisis for local government but also inflicts significant hardships on affected families struggling to meet rental obligations.

In response, a spokesperson from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing housing challenges, highlighting proposed funding increases and ongoing efforts to expand social housing supply.

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Despite these assurances, Oxford City Council maintains that immediate action is necessary to alleviate the burden on local authorities and vulnerable families grappling with homelessness. The council awaits meaningful engagement and concrete measures from the government to address this pressing issue.

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The story from UK is not any different as Great Britain is expected to witness a unique trend in its real estate market, with rental costs projected to surpass house prices by a significant 25 percent over the next four years, according to a report by source.

Canada, adjudged the second largest country in the world in area (after Russia), has received a significant number of Nigerians, young and old, who have left the country in the current japa wave in search of better living conditions and jobs.

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The country is currently gripped by a surge in homelessness that has seen tens of thousands of people priced out of the rental and real estate markets and left to live in the streets of the wealthy nation.

Besides rents, the country is also battling rising cost of living and galloping inflation such that humanitarian condition has reached crisis level, making it a double whammy for Nigerians in that country who left their home country for almost the same reasons.

A new report published in September 2023 cites Quebec, the second most populous province in Canada, to be facing a serious housing shortage because of factors ranging from the pandemic to record immigration driving population numbers higher and also fuelling demand.

According to the report, real estate prices have become the main topic around dinner tables in recent months, and public opinion and opposition criticisms have forced governments to prioritize housing and cost of living concerns.

Government data estimates there are some 235,000 homeless people across the country, but that is only counting people who access shelters, said University of Western Ontario professor, Cheryl Forchuk, who fears the true picture is far worse.

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Researchers warn that government data is vastly underestimating the number of homeless across the country, as the social ill spreads from major cities to small towns.

The September report notes that, in Quebec, one in two homeless people can be found in rural parts of the eastern province, instead of mainly in Montreal as had been the case in the past.

The report also cited Danny Brodeur-Cote, a young bachelor who has lived for months in a makeshift camp in woodlands near a cemetery in Granby, a town of 70,000 inhabitants 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of Montreal, after being evicted in June from an apartment he rented with his girlfriend.

“I work five days a week,” Brodeur-Cote was quoted as telling AFP. At age 39, this is the first time in his life that he has found himself living on the streets because, “any little housing there is is much too expensive,” he said.

Housing situation is really dire in Canada as nearly one in four homeless people found themselves on the street after being evicted from housing, according to the Quebec government report.

Karine Lussier, director of a local anti-poverty organisation, noted that “in Granby alone, we need at least 1,000 affordable housing units.”

He recalled that, between 2018 and 2022, the number of homeless people in Quebec increased by 44 per cent, their numbers swelling to 10,000 last year. Indigenous people, who represent five per cent of the Canadian population, are particularly over-represented in the streets, especially the Inuit, said Lussier.

Mayor Julie Bourdon told AFP that “visible homelessness did not exist three years ago in Granby,” admitting that “rents are very high now compared to two years ago; the city, rather than dismantling the camps and relocating the occupants, decided to opt for maintaining what it calls “places of tolerance.”

The report says that one contributing factor for the house rent increase in UK was the combination of lower yields and an increasing number of landlords relying on financing, which could place additional pressure on investor profits, particularly in the capital city.

“The looming surge in interest rates is expected to drive a substantial 5.5 percent growth in property prices nationwide. This surge in interest rates will exert greater pressure on rental prices than on house prices,” the report said.

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Source: BusinessDay

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