Life in Senegal: Every Number That Shapes It (1800–2100)

To understand Senegal is to trace a profound transition in the statistics of human survival. Where once the weight of daily existence was defined by significant struggle, the modern era reveals a shift toward greater stability. A child born in Senegal in the 2020s can expect to live 62 years on an average income of 3,800 international dollars. These metrics reflect more than mere policy changes; they represent the tangible evolution of a society navigating its place in the world, marked by improved health, education, and access to basic infrastructure.

The arc from the 1950s to the 2020s is defined by rapid structural change. In the 1950s, Life Expectancy at Birth was 36, compared to 62 years today. Child Mortality (under 5) fell from 320 to 75 per 1,000 births, while Years of Schooling climbed from 1.2 to 6 years. During this period, the proportion of people Living in Cities rose from 11 to 41 %, and Electricity at Home expanded from 3 to 48 %. These figures chart a path toward modernization, echoing a transformation occurring across the continent.

For someone navigating life in Senegal, the data suggests a trajectory of broadening horizons. As Extreme Poverty moved from 75 to 35 %, daily life became increasingly connected, with Internet Access reaching 29 % in the 2020s. Despite shifts in labor, with Annual Working Hours changing from 2,200 to 2,050 hours/year, the human cost remains steady, as the Homicide Rate shifted only slightly from 11 to 9.5 per 100,000. Use our interactive tool to see your parallel life in Senegal and discover exactly where the birth lottery placed its people.