Senegal has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. As of 2024, the country’s population is estimated to be around 18 million, up from approximately 10 million in the early 2000s. This growth is driven by a relatively high birth rate, with a fertility rate of about 4.4 children per woman, and a declining mortality rate due to improvements in healthcare and living conditions. The population is predominantly young, with a median age of about 19 years, reflecting a large proportion of children and youth. Urbanization is also increasing, with more people moving to cities such as Dakar in search of economic opportunities. While this population growth presents opportunities for economic development, it also poses challenges related to education, employment, and infrastructure.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,653,637 | 13.8 |
| 1955 | 2,926,863 | 15.2 |
| 1960 | 3,269,808 | 17 |
| 1965 | 3,743,967 | 19.4 |
| 1970 | 4,317,891 | 22.4 |
| 1975 | 4,989,168 | 25.9 |
| 1980 | 5,611,269 | 29.1 |
| 1985 | 6,378,233 | 33.1 |
| 1990 | 7,347,202 | 38.2 |
| 1995 | 8,376,458 | 43.5 |
| 2000 | 9,463,093 | 49.2 |
| 2005 | 10,871,798 | 56.5 |
| 2010 | 12,667,027 | 65.8 |
| 2015 | 14,753,625 | 76.6 |
| 2020 | 17,005,241 | 88.3 |
| 2022 | 17,923,036 | 93.1 |
| 2023 | 18,384,660 | 95.5 |
| 2024 | 18,847,519 | 97.9 |
| 2025 | 19,311,233 | 100.3 |
| 2030 | 21,631,307 | 112.4 |
| 2035 | 23,938,019 | 124.3 |
| 2040 | 26,222,080 | 136.2 |
| 2045 | 28,464,075 | 147.8 |
| 2050 | 30,635,314 | 159.1 |
| 2055 | 32,708,766 | 169.9 |
| 2060 | 34,668,560 | 180.1 |
| 2065 | 36,513,564 | 189.7 |
| 2070 | 38,237,072 | 198.6 |
| 2075 | 39,830,428 | 206.9 |
| 2080 | 41,280,112 | 214.4 |
| 2085 | 42,562,674 | 221.1 |
| 2090 | 43,666,682 | 226.8 |
| 2095 | 44,581,465 | 231.6 |
| 2100 | 45,306,181 | 235.3 |
Data from US Census International Database