| Title: | Republic of Senegal. Country profile |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0731-5414 (Print) 0731-5414 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The demographic and economic characteristics and some of the cultural traditions of the Republic of Senegal are described. Senegal obtained its independence from France in 1960. Despite the fact that the majority of the population derives its living from agriculture, the country must import additional food staples to feed its population. Conditions contributing to poor crop yields in recent years include 1) the frequent occurrence of droughts, 2) soil depletion caused by overintensive cultivation practices, and 3) land dessication caused by poor forestry management. In 1984 crop yields were only 10% of the normal crop yields. The government under the leadership of the president, Adbou Diouf, is currently developing plans to improve agricultural conditions and to encourage the industrial development of the country. The tourist industry is also growing. In 1976 Senegal conducted it 1st national census. According to the census the total population was 5,068,741 and the population growth rate was 2.6%. The US Census Bureau estimates that the population growth rate is now 3.2% and that 654,000 people were added to the population between 1976 and 1985. 27% of the population is urban, and the majority of the urban population resides in Dakar. In recent years, the rate of rural to urban migration increased rapidly as a result of the deteriorating agricultural conditions. The population is unevenly distributed throughout the country; 82% of the population lives in 39% of the country's territory. In 1977, 18% of the population lived in housing with electricity, and in 1983, 37% of the population lived in housing with running water. Most rural residents live in villages consisting of clusters of clay structures with thatched roofs and dirt floors. Most of the urban poor live in crowded shantytowns, which lack urban services. More than 1/2 of the population is under the age of 18. According to the 1978 World Fertility Survey, 83% of all women of reproductive age are married, and 48% of these women live in polygamous unions. Children are viewed as gifts form God, and 53% of the respondents in the fertility study said that the ideal family size was 9 or more. In 1976, the literacy rate was 28% for males and 17% for females. Radio is the most popular form of mass media. French is the official language, but only 15% of the population can speak or write French. 80% of the population speaks Wolof, a native dialect. Predominant ethnic groups are the Wolof, Serer, Peul, and Tuouleur. The country has a relatively high foreign population, and Islam is the religion of 80% of the population. 69% of the country's active male population is engaged in agriculture, fishing, or hunting, 14% are laborers or machine operators, and 4% are employed in the commercial sector. Approximately 800,000 women are gainfully employed, primarily as domestic servants. This document also provides the names and addresses of a number of organizations and agencies from which additional information on Senegal can be obtained. eng" |
| Keywords: | "Africa Africa South of the Sahara Africa, Northern Africa, Western Culture *Demography Developing Countries *Economics Family Characteristics Geography Marriage Population *Population Characteristics *Population Dynamics Senegal *Africa South Of The Sahar;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineGold, D eng 1985/04/01 Int Demogr. 1985 Apr; 4(4):1-8" |
