Country Profile: Senegal

Senegal is located on the western tip of Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean. The country has a diverse population estimated at over 18 million, primarily consisting of various ethnic groups including the Wolof and Pulaar. Senegal's economy is classified as lower middle-income and is driven mainly by services, agriculture, and fishing, with emerging offshore oil and gas industries. Governed as a presidential republic, Senegal is known for its political stability and has a history of democratic governance.

Geography

Senegal is situated in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land boundaries sharing borders with The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania. The geography consists mainly of low, rolling plains, with a tropical climate marked by a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April.

Total Area: 196,722 sq km; slightly smaller than South Dakota.
Coastline: 531 km.
Major Rivers: The Senegal River spans 1,641 km.
Natural Resources: Key resources include fish, phosphates, and iron ore.
Climate: Tropical with seasonal flooding and periodic droughts.

People and Society

The population of Senegal is approximately 18.8 million (2024). The country’s demographics reflect a youthful society, with a median age of 19.2 years and a significant portion of the population living in rural areas. Senegal's cultural diversity is expressed through multiple ethnic groups and languages, with French being the official language.

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Wolof (39.7%), Pulaar (27.5%).
Religion: 97.2% Muslim, mostly adhering to various Sufi orders.
Urbanization: 49.6% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Literacy Rate: 50.4% of the total population (2023).
Population Growth Rate: 2.46% (2024).

Economy

Senegal has a services-driven economy characterized as lower middle-income, with key sectors including mining, construction, agriculture, and fishing. The country is also developing its offshore oil and gas fields, although it faces challenges from systemic corruption and the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and exports.

Real GDP (PPP): Estimated at $83.183 billion (2024).
GDP Growth Rate: Projected at 6.9% (2024).
Unemployment Rate: Approximately 3% (2024).
Exports: $7.001 billion (2023).
Imports: $14.916 billion (2023).

Government

Senegal operates as a presidential republic with a history of political stability and democratic governance. The current president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was elected in April 2024. The country is divided into 14 administrative regions and has an active National Assembly.

Capital: Dakar.
Government Type: Presidential republic.
Current President: Bassirou Diomaye FAYE (since April 2024).
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
Legislative Structure: Unicameral National Assembly with 165 seats.

Military and Security

Senegal maintains a relatively small military force, known as the Senegalese Armed Forces, tasked with both territorial defense and internal security. The military is engaged in peacekeeping missions and has been involved in a low-level insurgency in the southern Casamance region.

Active Personnel: Approximately 25,000 (2025).
Military Expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2024).
Military Service Age: Voluntary service begins at 19 years.
Peacekeeping Deployments: Engaged in missions in the Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau.

Energy

Senegal has made strides in improving electricity access, with a significant portion of the urban population receiving electric service, while rural areas lag behind. The primary energy sources include fossil fuels, with a growing interest in renewable energy.

Electricity Access: 67.9% of the total population (2022).
Installed Capacity: 1.772 million kW (2023).
Energy Consumption per Capita: Approximately 8.303 million Btu/person (2023).
Fossil Fuels Share: 78.3% of total installed capacity (2023).

Environment

Senegal faces several environmental issues, including deforestation, soil erosion, and overfishing. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements and is taking steps to address these challenges.

Agricultural Land Use: 49.4% (2022).
Natural Hazards: Seasonal flooding and droughts are common.
Biodiversity Agreements: Participates in multiple international environmental accords.

Transportation

Senegal has a developing transportation infrastructure, with multiple airports and a railway system. The country’s ports are vital for trade, with significant traffic in oil and goods.

Airports: 20 (2025).
Railways: 906 km total (2017).
Ports: 6 including major ones like Dakar and St. Louis.

Communications

Senegal has a growing communications sector, with increasing access to mobile and internet services. Approximately 61% of the population uses the internet.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 22.4 million (2023).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 399,000 (2023).
Internet Users: 61% of the population.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,847,519	2024 Estimate
Area	196,722 sq km	Total Area
GDP (PPP)	$83.183 billion	2024 Estimate
Electricity Access	67.9%	Population with access (2022)
Unemployment Rate	3%	2024 Estimate
Birth Rate	30.2 births/1,000 people	2024 Estimate
Life Expectancy	70.6 years	2024 Estimate
Urban Population	49.6%	Total population (2023)
Energy Consumption per Capita	8.303 million Btu/person	2023 Estimate
Inflation Rate	0.8%	Consumer prices (2024 est.)