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Research Library: Senegal

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Last Updated Jun 16, 2008

Country Information

Senegal functions on a republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government. The president is elected by popular vote for a term of five years (eligible for a second term), and the prime minister is appointed by the president. There is also a bicameral Parliament consisting of a National Assembly (150 seats) and Senate (100 seats).
President Abdoulaye Wade came to office on April 1, 2000. He is the founder of the Senegalese Democratic Party, and is currently in his second term of office. Prime Minister Cheikh Hadjibou Soumare was appointed on June 19, 2007.

Senegal was granted its independence in 1960 and later merged with The Gambia to form a nominal confederation known as Senegambia (1982). However, the envisioned integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Also instigated in the 1980s was the long-running, low-level separatist insurgency led by the MFDC in the southern Casamance region. Several peace deals have been attempted, however, all have failed at resolving the conflict.
Despite these low-level insurgency problems, Senegal remains one of Africa¿s most politically stable democracies.

Currently, government priorities surround boosting the nation¿s living standards. President Wade has advanced a liberal agenda for Senegal, including privatizations and other market-opening measures, as well as raising Senegal¿s regional and international profile.

Senegal has long been an advocate of integration amongst French-speaking West African states through the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Senegal also has a high profile in many international organizations and was a member of the UN Security Council from 1988-1989. They retain good relations with the West (especially France and the U.S.), and are a proponent of more assistance from developed countries to the Third World. Senegal enjoys good relations with its neighbors.

After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal has made an impressive turnaround. In January 1994, Senegal adopted an ambitious reform program, under the support of the international donor community, which began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal¿s currency. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled, and annual inflation has been contained to low single digits.
Currently, Senegal is attempting to achieve greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to cause problems and propel outward migration to Europe. Firms from Dubai have recently agreed to modernize the maritime port in Dakar, as well as create a new special economic zone. Senegal continues to heavily rely on donor assistance. Major exports are fish, groundnuts, petroleum products, phosphates, and cotton.

Senegal is a net recipient of official development assistance. For more information see the OECD Aid at a Glance chart.

Demographic
Population	12.07 million	2006
Population Age 15 and Younger (As % of total)	42.2%	2005
Population Age 65 and Older (As % of total)	4.2%	2005
Population Growth Rate	2.5%	2006
Life Expectancy	59 years	2006
Life Expectancy (male)	57 years	2006
Life Expectancy (female)	61 years	2006
Urban Population (As % of total)	41.6%	2005

Economic
Gross Domestic Product (In US$)	$11.24 billion	2008
Gross Domestic Product per capita (In US$)	$898	2008
Economic Inequality (Ratio of income/consumption of richest 10% to poorest 10%)	12.3	2007
National Budget (In US$)	$3.14 billion	2008
Total Debt Service as % of GDP	2.3%	2005
Imports (In US$)	$4.45 billion	2007
Exports (In US$)	$1.70 billion	2007
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (In US$)	$60 million	2006
Unemployment Rate (As % of labor force)	Not Available
Carbon Dioxide Emissions (% share of world total)	0%	2004

Military
Military Expenditures (In US$)	$120 million	2005
Military Expenditures as % of GDP	1.4%	2005

Social
Human Development Index	0.5	2005
HIV Prevalence (Ages 15-49)	0.9%	2005
Literacy Rate (Age 15 and above)	39.3%	2002
Internet Users (per 1,000 people)	46	2005

African Studies Center - Senegal
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
CIA World Factbook- Senegal
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE)
About Senegal's Ecology by the Ministry of Environement (in French).
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
L'Agence de Presse Sénégalaise
APS - Senegalese government press agency. A French language resource.
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
Le Senegal Online
Senegal portal and index
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
Senegal Government
Gouvernement du Sénégal (in French).
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
Senegal Premanent Mission to the UN
French language resource.
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
The Republic of Sénégal
A resource for everything Sénégalese by Amadou Thiam a member of the Sénégalese Senate
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
Trade Point Senegal
Business and investment Senegal (in French)
Added or modified on May 25, 2007
Union Nationale des Chambres de Métiers
The national Chambers of Commerce.
Added or modified on May 25, 2007

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