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Senegal

Western Africa

Updated today

Senegal's stable government and FDI inflows drive economic growth, but the country still faces significant humanitarian and health challenges. Progress has been made in education and women's representation, but high maternal and under-5 mortality rates persist. The country's stable government and economic growth are not yet translating into improved health outcomes.

30/100
Need
Humanitarian pressure
46/100
Opportunity
Growth potential
67/100
Stability
Governance score
FisheriesAgricultureRenewable EnergyFintech

AI Brief

SENUpdated today

Senegal's economic growth faces humanitarian and health challenges

Senegal's stable government and FDI inflows drive economic growth, but the country still faces significant humanitarian and health challenges. Progress has been made in education and women's representation, but high maternal and under-5 mortality rates persist. The country's stable government and economic growth are not yet translating into improved health outcomes.

  • Senegal's GDP per capita is 1773.22 USD, indicating a moderate level of economic development.
  • The country has made significant progress in education, with a primary completion rate of 62.86% and a net primary school enrollment rate of 75.38%.
  • Women's representation in parliament has increased to 41.21%, indicating a positive trend towards gender equality.
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Senegal is home to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Africa, covering an area of approximately 16,000 hectares.

High maternal mortality rates of 237.44 per 100k, indicating a significant health challenge.Under-5 mortality rates of 36.50 per 1k, indicating a need for improved healthcare services.
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Key Indicators

Bank Account Ownership
76.46%

% of adults with a bank or mobile money account. Africa average: ~55%.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Agricultural Land
49.4% land

% of land used for crops or livestock. Africa average: ~43%.

World Bank (2023)Updated today
Government Education Expenditure
6.16% GDP
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Energy Use per Capita
291.05kg oil eq
World Bank (2023)Updated today
FDI Inflows
6.15% GDP
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Female Labour Force Participation
36.58%

Share of women ages 15+ who are employed or seeking work. Global average: ~47%.

World Bank (2025)Updated today
Forest Area
41.28% land

% of land covered by forest. Africa average: ~22%.

World Bank (2023)Updated today
GDP Growth
6.06%

Annual % change in national economic output. Global average: ~3%.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
GDP per Capita
1 773.22USD

GDP per person in current USD. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~$1,700.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Gender Parity Index — Education
1.18GPI
World Bank (2021)Updated today
Gini Index
36.2

Income inequality index 0–100. Higher = more unequal. Africa average: ~43.

World Bank (2021)Updated today
Current Health Expenditure
4.32% GDP

Government + private health spending as % of GDP. Global average: ~10%.

World Bank (2023)Updated today
Internally Displaced Persons
5 900people

People displaced within their own country. Africa hosts the most IDPs globally. Source: UNHCR.

UNHCR (2024)Updated today
Inflation (CPI)
0.8%
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Internet Access
60.12%

Share of population using the internet. Africa average: ~43%.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Life Expectancy
67.79years

Average years a newborn is expected to live. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~62 years.

WHO GHO (2021)Updated today
Adult Literacy Rate
50.36%

Share of adults (15+) who can read and write. Africa average: ~70%.

World Bank (2023)Updated today
Marine Protected Areas
3.1% waters
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Maternal Mortality
237.44per 100k

Deaths per 100,000 live births. Global average: 223; sub-Saharan Africa: ~450.

WHO GHO (2023)Updated today
4G Mobile Network Coverage
90%
UN SDG (2010)Updated today
Mobile Subscriptions
123.89per 100

SIM cards per 100 people (can exceed 100 due to multiple SIMs). Africa average: ~85.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Under-5 Mortality
36.5per 1k

Deaths per 1,000 live births before age 5. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~65.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
NCD Premature Mortality (30–70)
21.4%
WHO GHO (2021)Updated today
Obesity Prevalence
11.59%
WHO GHO (2024)Updated today
Medical Doctors
1.24per 10k

Medical doctors per 10,000 people. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~2.2.

WHO GHO (2024)Updated today
Political Stability Index
-0.14/100

World Governance Indicators score 0–100. Higher = more stable. Normalized from -2.5/+2.5 scale.

World Bank WGI (2023)Updated today
Population
18 501 984
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Poverty Headcount ($2.15/day)
17.9%

Share of population living on less than $2.15/day. Global extreme poverty threshold.

World Bank (2021)Updated today
Primary Completion Rate
62.86%
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Protected Areas
16.6% total
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Renewable Electricity Output
13.29%

% of electricity from renewable sources (hydro, solar, wind, geothermal).

World Bank (2021)Updated today
Safe Sanitation Access
30.08%

Share using safely managed sanitation. Global average: ~57%.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Net Primary School Enrollment
75.38%

Net % of primary school-age children attending school.

World Bank (2017)Updated today
Net Secondary School Enrollment
37.67%
World Bank (2017)Updated today
Population in Slums
46.41% urban
World Bank (2022)Updated today
Stunting, Children Under 5
17.5%
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Undernourishment Prevalence
5.1%

Share of population with insufficient food intake. Africa average: ~20%.

World Bank (2023)Updated today
Unemployment Rate
2.73%
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Urban Population Share
55.24%

Share of population living in urban areas. Africa average: ~44%.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Safe Drinking Water Access
27.19%

Share using safely managed drinking water. Global average: ~74%.

World Bank (2024)Updated today
Women in Parliament
41.21%

Share of parliamentary seats held by women. Global average: ~27%.

World Bank (2025)Updated today

Trusted Actions

LearnVerified B

Senegal energy access — off-grid solutions brief

IEA Africa

Research on decentralised solar and mini-grid deployment in rural Senegal.

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Dakar startup ecosystem — impact opportunities

AfriLabs

Early-stage investment pipeline from Senegal's growing tech ecosystem.

DonateVerified A

WASH access — Casamance region

WaterAid Africa

Clean water and sanitation in Senegal's most water-stressed region.