Senegal covers an area of 196,722 km² with an estimated population of 18.6 million in 2023 (ANSD 2024). The territory is organised into 14 regions, 46 departments, 127 districts and 553 municipalities.
Geography and demography
Located at the westernmost tip of the African continent, Senegal displays a wide territorial diversity. The western regions concentrate a large share of the population and of economic activity, while the inland regions are characterised by lower population density and more scattered settlements.
The resident population remains particularly young: 76% of inhabitants are under 35. A majority of the population now lives in urban areas, with an urbanisation rate of 54.9% (ANSD 2024).
Urbanisation patterns vary significantly across the territory. Dakar is entirely urban, followed by Diourbel (66.9%) and Thiès (58%), while Kaffrine stands at 15.7% (ANSD 2024). Between 2013 and 2023, nearly 70% of urban population growth was concentrated in the Diourbel, Dakar and Thiès regions, the country’s main poles of urban growth.
Source: Distribution of Senegal’s population by region, sex and age group (RGPH-5, 2023)
Politics and economy
The Senegalese economy recorded real GDP growth of 6.9% in 2024, up from 4.3% in 2023. This acceleration marks Senegal’s entry into a new economic phase, driven notably by the start of oil production and the development of extractive activities. It also builds on the momentum of the other sectors of the economy, which grew by 2.6% excluding hydrocarbons.
This new phase of development is set within the Senegal 2050 Vision, implemented through the National Development Strategy (SND) 2025-2029. This new framework is now the reference for the country’s economic and social transformation.
