What we do

Senegal

Senegal has been held up as one of Africa’s model democracies. It has an established multi-party system and a tradition of civilian rule. Despite a stable economy, the country has suffered from the global slowdown, commodity price shocks, and instability in neighbouring countries. Senegal lies largely within the Sahel region and is chronically vulnerable to natural disasters leading to food insecurity and malnutrition. Its agricultural sector has declined over time. Despite substantial improvements in scaling up child health interventions, infant and maternal mortality indicators remain high, especially in rural areas. The top causes of death for children under 5 are preventable, including malaria, neonatal conditions, pneumonia, diarrheal disease and measles. But immunization coverage has declined and measles outbreaks and polio have recurred. Neglected tropical diseases represent a major health burden in Senegal. (Sources: UNICEF 2017; UNDP 2018; UNAIDS 2017; World Bank 2017)

total population (thousands)

15,412

GNI per capita

1240$

Life expectancy at birth

67

Human Development Index

164 (out of 189)

Under-5 mortality rate

47‰

Primary school net enrolment

71%

Adult HIV prevalence (% of the population)

0.4%

People of all ages living with HIV (thousands)

43

improved access to safe water (% of the population)

75%

moderate-severe underweight (% children under-5)

17%