Lagos vs Shenzhen - City Size Comparison

Is Lagos Bigger Than Shenzhen?

In terms of area, Shenzhen is 1.7x the size of Lagos. Shenzhen spans 1,997 km² (771 mi²) while Lagos covers 1,172 km² (453 mi²) — a difference of 825 km².

About Lagos

Nigeria's largest city and economic hub of West Africa. Known as "Eko", Lagos covers 1,172 km² with a population of 15.4 million. The city was established in 1472. Lagos is known for Afrobeats music scene, Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos Island, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).

Lagos is projected to become the world's largest city by population by 2100

About Shenzhen

China's tech capital and a major innovation hub. Often called "China's Silicon Valley", Shenzhen has an area of 1,997 km² and is home to 17.6 million people. The city dates back to 1979. Visitors come for Tech industry (Huawei, Tencent, DJI), Shenzhen Bay, Window of the World theme park, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Shenzhen Metro.

Shenzhen grew from a fishing village of 30,000 people to a megacity of 17 million in just 40 years

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Lagos metropolitan area covers 2,706 km², which is 1.4x larger than greater Shenzhen at 1,997 km². The Lagos metro area is also more populous, with 21.0 million people compared to 17.6 million.

Population Density

Lagos has a population density of 13,131 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Shenzhen, with 8,793 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Lagos is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Lagos has a tropical savanna climate while Shenzhen experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Shenzhen, it's 5:00 AM in Lagos — a 7-hour time difference.