Homicide Rate in Senegal: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

To track the homicide rate in Senegal is to trace the quiet, persistent arc of human safety across three centuries. Behind every decimal point lies a life lived and a community altered. By distilling these occurrences into a rate per 100,000, we move beyond individual tragedy to observe the long-term trends that define a collective experience. These numbers serve as a necessary compass for understanding how violence has shifted within the borders of a nation, reflecting the daily reality of security and its gradual evolution.

The historical trajectory reveals a steady decline in violence. Starting from an 1800s estimate of 15, the rate moved through an 1850s estimate of 14, eventually reaching 13 in 1900. The twentieth century reflected a consistent tempering of conflict, moving from 11 in the 1950s to 10 in the 1990s. This downward shift represents a centuries-long recalibration of safety, transforming the social fabric from the volatility of the early 1800s into a more stable modern era.

In the 2020s, homicide rate in Senegal stands at 9.5 per 100,000 — ranking #127 of 157 countries. For someone born today, the horizon suggests increasing stability, with a 2030s projection of 9.03 and a 2100s projection of 6.3. As you reflect on these shifting probabilities, consider how the environment of a single lifetime is shaped by these broader statistical currents. We invite you to explore the data further to compute your own parallel lives.