Geographical location :
A country in West Africa, with Atlantic coastline. It borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the southeast and southwest, and almost encloses The Gambia, which runs like a corridor along the Gambia River bisecting Senegal’s south into Casamance region.
(Senegal also shares a maritime border with Cape Verde).
Official languages: French (official);
Several national languages including Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Jola, Mandinka, etc.
(i.e. 18,385,000)
(2023 estimate ~18.38 million)
nominal, TheGlobalEconomy.com
Note. PPP per capita: ~ USD 4,496 (various estimates)
Why Senegal may be considered a “fragile / at-risk state”.
Senegal is often viewed as relatively stable in West Africa, but it still faces structural vulnerabilities that may push it toward fragility:
Rising public debt and fiscal pressures: in recent years, Senegal’s fiscal deficit has widened, and revenue shortfalls undermine its ability to finance essential services.
Regional security threats and internal tensions: the Casamance region has long been a hotspot of separatist conflict, and spillovers from Sahel insurgencies create security risks.
Institutional weaknesses and governance challenges: Despite democratic processes, there are concerns about transparency, arbitrary detention, and concentration of executive power.
Economic dependence and exposure: A significant share of the population remains vulnerable to agricultural risks (droughts, floods), commodity price shocks, and external demand fluctuations.
