“Senegal's economy is driven by FDI and a stable governance, but faces significant humanitarian and health challenges. The country has made progress in increasing internet access and mobile subscriptions. However, it still struggles with education and poverty reduction.”
30/100
Need
Humanitarian pressure
46/100
Opportunity
Growth potential
67/100
Stability
Governance score
FisheriesAgricultureRenewable EnergyFintech
AI Brief
SENUpdated today
Senegal balances economic growth with humanitarian pressures
Senegal's economy is driven by FDI and a stable governance, but faces significant humanitarian and health challenges. The country has made progress in increasing internet access and mobile subscriptions. However, it still struggles with education and poverty reduction.
•Senegal's GDP growth is driven by 6.15% FDI inflows, a significant contributor to its economy.
•The country has made notable progress in increasing internet access, with 60.12% of the population now online.
•Despite challenges, Senegal's female labour force participation rate has increased to 36.58%, a positive trend for the country.
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Did you know?
Senegal is home to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Africa, covering over 16,000 hectares of land and water.
Maternal mortality rates remain high at 237.44 per 100k, a significant humanitarian concern.
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
10.21%
WHO GHO (2022)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
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Research on decentralised solar and mini-grid deployment in rural Senegal.