Population and Demographics

Senegal has a population of some 11 million, about 70% of whom live in rural areas. Density in these areas varies from about 77 per sq km in the west-central region to 2 per sq km in the arid eastern section. About 50,000 Europeans (mostly French) and Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. French is the official language but is used regularly only by the literate minority. Almost all Senegalese speak an indigenous language, of which Wolof has the largest usage. Many Senegalese live in Europe, particularly in France, Italy and Spain.

Ethnicity

Senegal has a wide variety of ethnic groups and, as in most West African countries, several languages are widely spoken. The Wolof are the largest single ethnic group in Senegal at 43%; the Peuls and Toucouleur (also known as Pular, Halpulaar, Fulbe or Fula) (24%) are the second biggest group, followed by others that include:

• Serer (15%)
• Lebou (10%)
• Jola (4%)
• Mandinka (3%)
• Maures or Naarkajors, Soninke, Bassari and many smaller communities (9%).

About 50,000 Europeans (1%) (mostly French) as well as smaller numbers of Mauritanians and Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. Also located primarily in urban settings are the minority Chinese and Vietnamese communities.

From the time of earliest contact between Europeans and Africans along the coast of Senegal, particularly after the establishment of coastal trading posts during the fifteenth century, communities of mixed African and European (mostly French and Portuguese) origin have thrived. Cape Verdeans living in urban areas and in the Casamance region represent another recognised community of mixed African and European background.

Religion

Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by approximately 94% of the country's population; the Christian community, at 4% of the population, includes Roman Catholics and diverse Protestant denominations. There is also a tiny minority who practice animism, particularly in the south-eastern region of the country.

Facts and Figures

• Population: 11,987,121
• Age Structure:
  • 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 2,467,021/female 2,422,385)
  • 15-64 years: 56.1% (male 3,346,756/female 3,378,518)
  • 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 174,399/female 198,042)
• Median Age:
  • Total: 19.1 years
  • Male: 18.9 years
  • Female: 19.3 years
• Population Growth Rate: 2.34%
• Birth Rate: 32.78 births/1,000 population
• Death Rate: 9.42 deaths/1,000 population
• Net Migration Rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
• Sex Ratio:
  • At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  • Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  • 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
  • 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
  • Total population: 1 male(s)/female
• Infant Mortality Rate:
  • Total: 52.94 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Male: 56.49 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Female: 49.29 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life Expectancy at Birth:
  • Total population: 59.25 years
  • Male: 57.7 years
  • Female: 60.85 years
• Total Fertility Rate: 4.38 children born/woman
• HIV/AIDS:
  • Adult prevalence rate: 0.8%
  • People living with HIV/AIDS: 44,000
• Ethnic Groups:
  • Wolof 43.3%
  • Pular 23.8%
  • Serer 14.7%
  • Jola 3.7%
  • Mandinka 3%
  • Soninke 1.1%
  • European and Lebanese 1%
  • Other 9.4%
• Religions:
  • Muslim 94%
  • Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic)
  • Indigenous beliefs 1%
• Languages
  • French (official)
  • Wolof
  • Pulaar
  • Jola
  • Mandinka
• Literacy:
  • Total population: 40.2%
  • Male: 50%
  • Female: 30.7%