Form of Government: Republic
Area: 196 712 sq km
Population: 16 705 608 inhab. (estimate 2020)
Density: 84.92 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 17° - 12° N; long. 18° - 11° W
Capital: Dakar (capital) 1 146 053 inhab. (2013); Dakar 3 026 316 inhab. (2013), urban agglomeration
Currency: CFA franc (100 centimes)
Human development index: 0.512 (rank: 168)
President: Macky Sall (Alliance for the Republic), elected 25 March 2012, in office since 3 April 2012, reconfirmed 24 February 2019
National Assembly: seats based on the elections of 30 July 2017: United in Hope (coalition led by APR-Alliance for the Republic, in support of President Sall), 125; PDS (Senegalese Democratic Party), 19; others, 21
Internet: www.ansd.sn (Agence Nationale de la Statistique)
Member of AU, ECOWAS, OIC, UN, WTO
Senegal

International license plate code SN
International dialling code 00221
Travel vaccinations requirement yellow fever (recommended; it is also required if traveling from a country with risk of transmission, including travelers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of transmission); malaria prophylaxis (recommended for some areas)
Electricity (Voltage) 230
Driving side rigth
Internet code .sn
GMT 0
DST not applied
Annual average temperature (°C) Dakar 24.4
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Dakar 21/27
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Dakar 8.5/8
Annual average precipitation (mm) Dakar 499
Days of rainfall (annual average) Dakar 37

The arrest (3 March 2021) of an opposition figure sparked several days of violent protests, also fuelled by intolerance of the pandemic restrictions.
Geography.
Senegal is bordered to the north by Mauritania, to the east by Mali, to the south by Guinea and Guinea-Bissau and to the west; it lies on the Atlantic Ocean.
The country surrounds The Gambia. To the north the border is marked by the River Senegal; other important rivers are the River Casamance and the River Gambia. The climate is warm, with one dry season and one humid season.
Government
Formerly a French colony, it has been independent since 11 September 1960. The “father of the country”, the writer Léopold S. Senghor, was President until 1980. From 1982 to 1989, the country was part of the Senegambia Confederation, along with The Gambia. After A. Diouf’s long presidency (1981-2000), the opposition candidate, A. Wade, (Senegalese Democratic Party) proved victorious, later beaten at the 2012 elections by Macky Sall, founder of the Alliance for the Republic party. Between 1983 and 2004, a separatist guerrilla movement developed in the Casamance region led by the MFDC (Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance); after the 2004 peace agreements some militia have remained active. According to the 2001 Constitution, the President is elected by direct suffrage for five years which may be renewed only once; the National Assembly is made up of 165 members, elected for five years. The Senate, reintroduced in 2007, was abolished once more by Macky Sall in 2012. In 2019, Parliament approved the abolition of the position of prime minister. The legal system is based on French law.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Air force | 5.5 | % | 2015 |
Army | 87.5 | % | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Homicides | 7.4 | per 100 000 pop. | 2015 |
Theft | 33.8 | per 100 000 pop. | 2015 |
Administrative division
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Dakar | 1 146 053 | inhab. | 2013 |
Thiès | 317 763 | inhab. | 2013 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Dakar | 3 026 316 | inhab. | 2013 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 33.952 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 5.596 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Wolof | 38.7 | % | 2011 |
Toucouleur | 26.5 | % | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Muslim | 95.9 | % | 2016 |
Christian | 4.1 | % | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Diola |
French (official) |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 40.1 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 28.5 | % | 2020 |
Economy
Growth is fueled by foreign investment and exports and is sensitive to the trend of agricultural crops. The Sall presidency in 2012 enacted the Plan Sénégal Emergent (PSE) to favour growth via economic reforms and infrastructural investments. The agricultural sector is based on the cultivation of peanuts, the country being one of the world’s main producers. Sugar cane, fruit, tomatoes and cotton productions are also noteworthy. Millet, rice, maize and cassava are grown for domestic consumption. The fishing industry, which is important for exports, is going through a crisis due to the fact that waters have been over-exploited. A further important resource is phosphates (deposits in Taïba, Matam and Thiès). Industry is quite developed, especially food manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, mechanics, textiles and clothing; in Dakar-M’Bao there are chemical (fertilizers) and petrochemical plants; phosphoric acid is produced in Mboro. The role of numerous Chinese companies wishing to exploit the country’s resources, especially oil and gas, is relevant. The CFA franc is pegged to the Euro by a fixed exchange rate. Dakar is a free-trade area and the headquarters of the Central Bank of West African States. Tourism is relevant.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 144.82 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 153.45 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 4 255 232 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 40.4 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 7.1 | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 45.5 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 3 349 000 | M LCU | 2019 |
Revenues | 2 833 000 | M LCU | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 30$ | % | 2019 |
industry | 13.5 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 16.499 | % | 2019 |
industry | 26.24 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 1 677.901 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 116.9 | M US$ | 2016 |
Agriculture
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 17.026 | % | 2018 |
forests | 42.322 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cereals, total | 2 768.798 | 1000 t | 2019 |
maize | 530.705 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cassava | 1 030.592 | 1000 t | 2019 |
potatoes | 140 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 105.096 | 1000 t | 2019 |
carrots and turnips | 17.085 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, green | 18.815 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
groundnuts | 1 421.288 | 1000 t | 2019 |
sesame seed | 24.304 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
oil palm fruits | 145.024 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
coconuts | 4$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sugar cane | 1 093.701 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 16.511 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
fruits, total | 1 484.05 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cashew nuts | 6.774 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 48.5 | 1000 t | 2019 |
oranges | 48.5 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bananas | 31.422 | 1000 t | 2019 |
mangoes | 130 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
maize | 258.391 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
millet | 880.408 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cassava | 94.01 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
potatoes | 5.85 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 7.011 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
carrots and turnips | 2.465 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, green | 1.395 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
groundnuts | 1 110.934 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
sesame seed | 33.776 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
oil palm fruit | 12.591 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
coconuts | 1.3 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sugar cane | 9.657 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 16.511 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cashew nuts | 16.664 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 6.644 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
oranges | 6.644 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bananas | 1.223 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
mangoes | 19.464 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 6 428 141 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 3 666.446 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 3 666.446 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
pigs | 465.543 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 7 051.917 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 6 205.145 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
asses | 482.594 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
asses and mules | 482.594 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
camels | 5.03 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 81 419 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
honey | 4.38 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 0.555 | 1000 t | 2018 |
eggs | 34.248 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
crustaceans and molluscs | 28 927.791 | t | 2019 |
freshwater fishes | 32 557.09 | t | 2019 |
Minerals
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
natural gas | 12.5 | M m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
ilmenite | 310 | 1000 t | 2020 |
rutile | 9$ | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
clay | 120 | 1000 t | 2020 |
phosphate rock | 3 500 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
basalt | 3.8 | 1000 t | 2018 |
limestone | 2 000 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
gold | 7 628 | kg | 2018 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 3 988.42 | M kWh | 2018 |
- hydro | 356.4 | M kWh | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 1 001 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
- other renew. | 209 | 1000 kW | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 4 513.82 | M kWh | 2018 |
total installed capacity | 1 235 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
lead | 3.7 | 1000 t | 2018 |
silver, metal | 700 | kg | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
petrol | 49.1 | 1000 t | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
fertilizers | 151 | 1000 t | 2019 |
nitrogen fertilizers | 18.9 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beer of barley | 20$ | 1000 t | 2018 |
cottonseed oil | 1.9 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cigarettes, packs | 71.59 | M units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
other paper | 0.138 | 1000 t | 2019 |
paper | 0.138 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 5 283.2 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 625.369 | M US$ | 2014 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 1 170.104 | M US$ | 2014 |
Trade
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
food products | 32.919 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
manufactures | 24.105 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Mali | 548.4 | M US$ | 2010 |
India | 209.7 | M US$ | 2010 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
France | 943.3 | M US$ | 2010 |
Nigeria | 488.9 | M US$ | 2010 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 324 | M US$ | 2018 |
Number of arrivals | 1 365 000 | units | 2017 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 8.844 | years | 2019 |
Graduates | 28 058 | units | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 2 171 967 | units | 2019 |
Students, secondary level | 1 149 844 | units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 0.3 | per 1000 pop. | 2008 |
Physicians | 0.05 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
HIV | 0.4 | % of adults | 2019 |
HIV, total | 0.3 | % | 2001 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 0.577 | % of GDP | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 24.5 | % | 2019 |
Access to electricity | 70.4 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
clothing, footwear | 5$ | % | 2011 |
education | 2.4 | % | 2011 |