Senegal Population 2026

Overview

Senegal’s population has been growing at a consistent pace, with a 10-year average annual growth rate of 2.72% between 2015 and 2025. This growth reflects the country’s relatively high fertility rates and declining mortality, typical of many lower middle income nations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The population is young, with a median age well below the global average, contributing to a broad base in the age pyramid. Urbanization is also a key trend, with the capital Dakar and other cities absorbing a growing share of the population. As a coastal West African nation, Senegal’s demographic dynamics are influenced by regional migration, economic opportunities, and agricultural livelihoods. The country’s population rank of #68 globally places it among the mid-sized nations, with a density that varies significantly between the arid interior and the more fertile coastal regions. Despite economic growth, challenges remain in providing education, healthcare, and employment for the expanding workforce. The 2.35% annual growth rate indicates that Senegal’s population is expected to continue rising in the near term, though at a slightly slower pace than the previous decade’s average.

Key Facts

• Senegal’s latest population in 2025 is 18,501,984.
• The country ranks 68th in the world by population size.
• The 1-year population growth rate for 2025 is 2.35%.
• Over the past 10 years, the average annual growth rate was 2.72%.
• Senegal is located in Sub-Saharan Africa and is classified as a lower middle income country.
• The population has grown by approximately 27% over the last decade based on the 2.72% average annual growth.