Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Demography and Social Statistics |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years, then NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Career field / body | Population and statistics agencies, planning and research |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Mathematics, and any two of Economics, Geography or Government |
| Competitiveness | Moderately competitive |
On this page
- What Demography and Social Statistics is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Demography and Social Statistics & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Salary outlook in Nigeria
- Where it’s offered
- Is it a good course?
- Skills you’ll gain
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Demography and Social Statistics is about
Demography and Social Statistics is the study of populations — their size, structure, distribution and change through births, deaths and migration — using statistics to inform planning and policy.
A brief history of the discipline
As governments needed reliable data to plan services and development, demography and social statistics became essential. They underpin census, health and development planning in Nigeria.
What you will study
You study demographic methods, social statistics, population studies, research methods and survey design, the economics and geography of population, and data analysis — with a project.
Why study Demography and Social Statistics & who it suits
This course suits analytical, curious students interested in people, society and how the world works, with good reading and writing skills. Comfort with Mathematics, statistics and data is important here.
Careers & where graduates work
Graduates work with population and statistics agencies (such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the National Population Commission), in research and planning, health and development (NGOs and UN agencies), data analysis and academia.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Demography pay is strongest in data, research, planning and international agencies.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (graduate) | ₦120,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Mid-level (data / research) | ₦300,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Senior / agencies & data | ₦800,000 – ₦1,500,000+ |
Figures are rough approximations (monthly gross) as of 2026, drawn from Nigerian salary aggregators. Actual pay varies widely by sector (oil & gas, fintech and multinationals pay far above the public service), employer, location (Lagos and Abuja pay more) and experience — treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
Where it’s offered: notable universities
Demography and Social Statistics is offered at a number of Nigerian universities, including the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, among others.
This is not a ranked or exhaustive list — always confirm the current institutions and their requirements in the official JAMB brochure, or use our subject combination checker and the Demography and Social Statistics admission guide.
Is Demography and Social Statistics a good course to study in Nigeria?
Demography and Social Statistics is a data-focused social science with strong demand in research, planning and agencies — and it grows with data skills.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- Strong demand in data, research, planning and agencies (NBS, NPC, NGOs, UN).
- Data and analytical skills that are in demand.
- A quantitative edge over other social sciences.
- A base for further study.
Challenges to weigh:
- A real quantitative/Mathematics component.
- Some parts are theory-heavy.
- Best pay needs data-analysis skills.
- Competitive.
It suits students who like combining data with social issues.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Demography and Social Statistics builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Demographic and statistical methods
- Data analysis
- Research and survey design
- Interpretation
- Problem-solving
- Reporting
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
B.Sc Demography and Social Statistics (4 years) → NYSC → careers in population, statistics, planning, research and data analysis.
How to get in: Demography and Social Statistics UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination for Demography and Social Statistics is Use of English, Mathematics, and any two of Economics, Geography or Government. You also need five relevant O’Level credits including English Language. Confirm the exact requirement for your chosen university.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
- Use of English — practise CBT
- Mathematics — practise CBT
- Economics — practise CBT
- Geography — practise CBT
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Demography and Social Statistics, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Demography and Social Statistics in Nigeria?
The B.Sc typically takes 4 years, followed by the one-year NYSC.
What are the JAMB subjects for Demography and Social Statistics?
Use of English, Mathematics, and any two of Economics, Geography or Government
What can I do with Demography and Social Statistics?
Work with population and statistics agencies, in planning, research, health and development, and data analysis roles.
Is this a mathematical course?
It has a strong statistics and data component, so comfort with Mathematics and numbers is important.
Is Demography and Social Statistics a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — it has strong demand in data, research, planning and agencies, and its quantitative skills give it an edge, especially with data-analysis tools.
What jobs can I get?
Roles with population and statistics agencies, planning, research, health and development, and data-analysis positions.
Is it a mathematical course?
It has a real statistics and data component, so comfort with numbers is important.
Demography vs Statistics?
Demography studies populations and social data specifically; Statistics is the broader science of data. They overlap strongly in data roles.
Sources: Course content and career pathways summarised from Nigerian faculties of social sciences and relevant professional/learned bodies; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.