Senegal vs. The Gambia
Introduction
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Senegal is one of the few countries in the world with evidence of continuous human life from the Paleolithic era to present. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Jolof Empire ruled most of Senegal. Starting in the 15th century, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and Great Britain traded along the Senegalese coast. Senegal's location on the western tip of Africa made it a favorable base for the European slave trade. European powers used the Senegalese island of Goree as a base to purchase slaves from the warring chiefdoms on the mainland, and at the height of the slave trade in Senegal, over one-third of the Senegalese population was enslaved. In 1815, France abolished slavery and began expanding inland. During the second half of the 19th century, France took possession of Senegal as a French colony. In 1959, the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan were merged and granted independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. The union broke up after only a few months. In 1982, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia. The envisaged integration of the two countries was never implemented, and the union dissolved in 1989. Since the 1980s, the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance - a separatist movement based in southern Senegal - has led a low-level insurgency. Several attempts at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement have failed. Since 2012, despite sporadic incidents of violence, an unofficial cease-fire has remained largely in effect. Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. The Socialist Party of Senegal ruled for 40 years until Abdoulaye WADE was elected president in 2000 and re-elected in 2007. WADE amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and weaken the opposition. In 2012, WADE's decision to run for a third presidential term sparked public backlash that led to his defeat to current President Macky SALL. A 2016 constitutional referendum limited future presidents to two consecutive five-year terms. The change, however, does not apply to SALL's first term. In February 2019, SALL won his bid for re-election; his second term will end in 2024. One month after the 2019 election, the National Assembly voted to abolish the office of the prime minister. Opposition and civil society organizations criticized the decision as a further concentration of power in the executive branch at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches. | In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia's earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia. In 1965, The Gambia gained its independence from the UK. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. JAMMEH won every presidential election until 2016. In December 2016, after 22 years of authoritarian rule, President JAMMEH lost to Adama BARROW during free and fair elections. Due to The Gambia's poor human rights record under JAMMEH, international development partners had substantially reduced aid to the country. These channels have now reopened under the administration of President BARROW. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported military education and training programs, capacity building, and democracy-strengthening activities.
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Geography
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal |
| Geographic coordinates | 14 00 N, 14 00 W | 13 28 N, 16 34 W |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Area | total: 196,722 sq km land: 192,530 sq km water: 4,192 sq km | total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,120 sq km water: 1,180 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than South Dakota; slightly larger than twice the size of Indiana | slightly less than twice the size of Delaware |
| Land boundaries | total: 2,684 km border countries (5): The Gambia 749 km, Guinea 363 km, Guinea-Bissau 341 km, Mali 489 km, Mauritania 742 km | total: 749 km border countries (1): Senegal 749 km |
| Coastline | 531 km | 80 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: extent not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
| Climate | tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind | tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
| Terrain | generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast | flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: unnamed elevation 2.8 km southeast of Nepen Diaka 648 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 69 m | highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 34 m |
| Natural resources | fish, phosphates, iron ore | fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon |
| Land use | agricultural land: 46.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 29.1% (2018 est.) forest: 43.8% (2018 est.) other: 9.4% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 56.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 41% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 14.6% (2018 est.) forest: 43.9% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 1,200 sq km (2012) | 50 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts | droughts |
| Environment - current issues | deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; periodic droughts; seasonal flooding; overfishing; weak environmental protective laws; wildlife populations threatened by poaching | deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture; desertification; water pollution; water-borne diseases |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban |
| Geography - note | westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal | almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the African mainland |
| Total renewable water resources | 38.97 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | the population is concentrated in the west, with Dakar anchoring a well-defined core area; approximately 70% of the population is rural as shown in this population distribution map | settlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul, and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,082,442 (July 2021 est.) | 2,221,301 (July 2021 est.) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 40.38% (male 3,194,454/female 3,160,111) 15-24 years: 20.35% (male 1,596,896/female 1,606,084) 25-54 years: 31.95% (male 2,327,424/female 2,700,698) 55-64 years: 4.21% (male 283,480/female 378,932) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 212,332/female 275,957) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 35.15% (male 391,993/female 388,816) 15-24 years: 20.12% (male 221,519/female 225,414) 25-54 years: 36.39% (male 396,261/female 412,122) 55-64 years: 4.53% (male 48,032/female 52,538) 65 years and over: 3.81% (male 38,805/female 45,801) (2021 est.) |
| Median age | total: 19.4 years male: 18.5 years female: 20.3 years (2020 est.) | total: 21.8 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.2 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 2.25% (2021 est.) | 1.82% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 31.31 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 26.42 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 7.55 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 6.66 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | -1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.75 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 47.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 65.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 70.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 63.83 years male: 61.59 years female: 66.14 years (2021 est.) | total population: 66.15 years male: 63.8 years female: 68.57 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 3.97 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 3.13 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 0.3% (2020 est.) | 1.8% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese | noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian |
| Ethnic groups | Wolof 37.1%, Pular 26.2%, Serer 17%, Mandinka 5.6%, Jola 4.5%, Soninke 1.4%, other 8.3% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2017 est.) | Mandinka/Jahanka 34%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 22.4%, Wolof 12.6%, Jola/Karoninka 10.7%, Serahuleh 6.6%, Serer 3.2%, Manjago 2.1%, Bambara 1%, Creole/Aku Marabout 0.7%, other 0.9%, non-Gambian 5.2%, no answer 0.6% (2013 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 39,000 (2020 est.) | 27,000 (2020 est.) |
| Religions | Muslim 95.9% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 4.1% (mostly Roman Catholic) (2017 est.) | Muslim 95.7%, Christian 4.2%, none 0.1%, no response 0.1% (2013 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 1,100 (2020 est.) | 1,300 (2020 est.) |
| Languages | French (official), Wolof, Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke | English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.9% male: 64.8% female: 39.8% (2017) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.8% male: 61.8% female: 41.6% (2015) |
| Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 9 years male: 8 years female: 9 years (2019) | total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2010) |
| Education expenditures | 4.8% of GDP (2018) | 2.4% of GDP (2018) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 48.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 63.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 92.3% of population rural: 74.5% of population total: 83.3% of population unimproved: urban: 6.7% of population rural: 25.5% of population total: 16.7% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 91.4% of population rural: 80.4% of population total: 87.1% of population unimproved: urban: 8.6% of population rural: 19.6% of population total: 12.9% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 91.2% of population rural: 48.5% of population total: 68.4% of population unimproved: urban: 8.8% of population rural: 51.5% of population total: 31.6% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 80.4% of population rural: 44.5% of population total: 66.3% of population unimproved: urban: 19.6% of population rural: 55.5% of population total: 33.7% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 3.230 million DAKAR (capital) (2021) | 459,000 BANJUL (capital) (2021) note: includes the local government areas of Banjul and Kanifing |
| Maternal mortality rate | 315 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 597 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 14.4% (2019) | 11.6% (2019/20) |
| Health expenditures | 4% (2018) | 3.1% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2017) | 0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2015) |
| Hospital bed density | 0.3 beds/1,000 population (2008) | 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 8.8% (2016) | 10.3% (2016) |
| Mother's mean age at first birth | 21.9 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 | 20.7 years (2019/20 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 |
| Demographic profile | Senegal has a large and growing youth population but has not been successful in developing its potential human capital. Senegal's high total fertility rate of almost 4.5 children per woman continues to bolster the country's large youth cohort - more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Fertility remains high because of the continued desire for large families, the low use of family planning, and early childbearing. Because of the country's high illiteracy rate (more than 40%), high unemployment (even among university graduates), and widespread poverty, Senegalese youths face dim prospects; women are especially disadvantaged. Senegal historically was a destination country for economic migrants, but in recent years West African migrants more often use Senegal as a transit point to North Africa - and sometimes illegally onward to Europe. The country also has been host to several thousand black Mauritanian refugees since they were expelled from their homeland during its 1989 border conflict with Senegal. The country's economic crisis in the 1970s stimulated emigration; departures accelerated in the 1990s. Destinations shifted from neighboring countries, which were experiencing economic decline, civil wars, and increasing xenophobia, to Libya and Mauritania because of their booming oil industries and to developed countries (most notably former colonial ruler France, as well as Italy and Spain). The latter became attractive in the 1990s because of job opportunities and their periodic regularization programs (legalizing the status of illegal migrants). Additionally, about 16,000 Senegalese refugees still remain in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as a result of more than 30 years of fighting between government forces and rebel separatists in southern Senegal's Casamance region. | The Gambia's youthful age structure - almost 60% of the population is under the age of 25 - is likely to persist because the country's total fertility rate remains strong at nearly 4 children per woman. The overall literacy rate is around 55%, and is significantly lower for women than for men. At least 70% of the populace are farmers who are reliant on rain-fed agriculture and cannot afford improved seeds and fertilizers. Crop failures caused by droughts between 2011 and 2013 have increased poverty, food shortages, and malnutrition. The Gambia is a source country for migrants and a transit and destination country for migrants and refugees. Since the 1980s, economic deterioration, drought, and high unemployment, especially among youths, have driven both domestic migration (largely urban) and migration abroad (legal and illegal). Emigrants are largely skilled workers, including doctors and nurses, and provide a significant amount of remittances. The top receiving countries for Gambian emigrants are Spain, the US, Nigeria, Senegal, and the UK. While the Gambia and Spain do not share historic, cultural, or trade ties, rural Gambians have migrated to Spain in large numbers because of its proximity and the availability of jobs in its underground economy (this flow slowed following the onset of Spain's late 2007 economic crisis). The Gambia's role as a host country to refugees is a result of wars in several of its neighboring West African countries. Since 2006, refugees from the Casamance conflict in Senegal have replaced their pattern of flight and return with permanent settlement in The Gambia, often moving in with relatives along the Senegal-Gambia border. The strain of providing for about 7,400 Casamance refugees has increased poverty among Gambian villagers. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 26.9% (2019) | 16.8% (2018) note: percent of women aged 15-49 |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 84.2 youth dependency ratio: 78.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 potential support ratio: 17.5 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 86.9 youth dependency ratio: 82.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.7 potential support ratio: 21.1 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation etymology: named for the Senegal River that forms the northern border of the country; many theories exist for the origin of the river name; perhaps the most widely cited derives the name from "Azenegue," the Portuguese appellation for the Berber Zenaga people who lived north of the river | conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia etymology: named for the Gambia River that flows through the heart of the country |
| Government type | presidential republic | presidential republic |
| Capital | name: Dakar geographic coordinates: 14 44 N, 17 38 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Atlantic coast trading settlement of Ndakaaru came to be called "Dakar" by French colonialists | name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Banjul is located on Saint Mary's Island at the mouth of the Gambia River; the Mandinka used to gather fibrous plants on the island for the manufacture of ropes; "bang julo" is Mandinka for "rope fiber"; mispronunciation over time caused the term became the word Banjul |
| Administrative divisions | 14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor | 5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast |
| Independence | 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 | 18 February 1965 (from the UK) |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 4 April (1960) | Independence Day, 18 February (1965) |
| Constitution | history: previous 1959 (preindependence), 1963; latest adopted by referendum 7 January 2001, promulgated 22 January 2001 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires Assembly approval and approval in a referendum; the president can bypass a referendum and submit an amendment directly to the Assembly, which requires at least three-fifths majority vote; the republican form of government is not amendable; amended several times, last in 2019 | history: previous 1965 (Independence Act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997; note - in early 2018, the "Constitutional Review Commission," was established to draft and assist in instituting a new constitution; a second draft completed in March 2020 was rejected by the National Assembly in September amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes cast; amended 2001, 2004, 2018 |
| Legal system | civil law system based on French law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court | mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Macky SALL (since 2 April 2012) head of government: President Macky SALL (since 2 April 2012) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single renewable 5-year term; election last held on 24 February 2019 (next to be held in February 2024) election results: Macky SALL elected president in first round; percent of vote - Macky SALL (APR) 58.3%, Idrissa SECK (Rewmi) 20.5%, Ousmane SONKO (PASTEF) 15.7% | chief of state: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Isatou TOURAY (since 15 March 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Isatou TOURAY (since 15 March 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 1 December 2016 (next to be held in 2021); vice president appointed by the president election results: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1% |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (165 seats; 105 members including 15 representing Senegalese diaspora directly elected by plurality vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies and 60 members directly elected by proportional representation vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies) elections: National Assembly - last held on 2 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022) election results: National Assembly results - percent of vote by party/coalition - BBK 49.5%, CGWS 16.7%, MTS 11.7%, PUR 4.7%, CP-Kaddu Askan Wi 2%, other 15.4%; seats by party/coalition - BBY 125, CGWS 19, MTS 7, PUR 3, CP-Kaddu Askan Wi 2, other 9; composition - men 96, women 69, percent of women 41.8% | description: unicameral National Assembly (58 seats; 53 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 6 April 2017 (next to be held in 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 37.5%, GDC 17.4%, APRC 16%, PDOIS 9%, NRP 6.3%, PPP 2.5%, other 1.7%, independent 9.6%; seats by party - UDP 31, APRC 5, GDC 5, NRP 5, PDOIS 4, PPP 2, independent 1; composition - men 52, women 6, percent of women 10.3% |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the court president and 12 judges and organized into civil and commercial, criminal, administrative, and social chambers); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionel (consists of 7 members, including the court president, vice president, and 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon recommendation of the Superior Council of the Magistrates, a body chaired by the president and minister of justice; judge tenure varies, with mandatory retirement either at 65 or 68 years; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the president and 2 by the National Assembly speaker; judges serve 6-year terms, with renewal of 2 members every 2 years subordinate courts: High Court of Justice (for crimes of high treason by the president); Courts of Appeal; Court of Auditors; assize courts; regional and district courts; Labor Court | highest courts: Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices; court sessions held with 5 justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 75 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts; cadi courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar or APR-Yakaar [Macky SALL] Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE] Alliance for Citizenship and Labor or ACT [Abdoul MBAYE] And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Mamadou DIOP Decriox] Benno Bokk Yakaar or BBY (United in Hope) [Macky SALL] (coalition includes AFP, APR, BGC, LD-MPT, PIT, PS, and UNP) Bokk Gis Gis coalition [Pape DIOP] Citizen Movement for National Reform or MCRN-Bes Du Nakk [Mansour Sy DJAMIL] Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Abdoulaye BATHILY] Dare the Future movement [Aissata Tall SALL] Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE] Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS] General Alliance for the Interests of the Republic or AGIR [Thierno BOCOUM] Grand Party or GP [Malick GAKOU] Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Magatte THIAM] Madicke 2019 coalition [Madicke NIANG] National Union for the People or UNP [Souleymane Ndene NDIAYE] Only Senegal movement [Pierre Goudiaby ATEPA] Party for Truth and Development or PVD [Cheikh Ahmadou Kara MBAKE] Party of Unity and Rally or PUR [El Hadji SALL] Patriotic Convergence Kaddu Askan Wi or CP-Kaddu Askan Wi [Abdoulaye BALDE] Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity or (PASTEF) [Ousmane SONKO] Rewmi Party [Idrissa SECK] Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE] Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG] Tekki Movement [Mamadou Lamine DIALLO] | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Fabakary JATTA] Coalition 2016 [collective leadership] (electoral coalition includes UDP, PDOIS, NRP, GMC, GDC, PPP, and GPDP) Gambia Democratic Congress or GDC [Mama KANDEH] Gambia Moral Congress or GMC [Mai FATTY] Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress or GPDP [Sarja JARJOU] National Convention Party or NCP [Yaya SANYANG and Majanko SAMUSA (both claiming leadership)] National Democratic Action Movement or NDAM [Lamin Yaa JUARA] National People's Party or NPP [Adama BARROW] National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat BAH] People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] People's Progressive Party or PPP [Yaya CEESAY)] United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] |
| International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Mansour Elimane KANE (since 6 January 2020) chancery: 2215 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 629-2961 email address and website: contact@ambasenegal-us.org http://www.ambasenegal-us.org/index.php consulate(s) general: Houston, New York | chief of mission: Ambassador Dawda D. FADERA (since 24 January 2018) chancery: 5630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399; [1] (202) 785-1428 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 email address and website: info@gambiaembassy.us https://www.gambiaembassydc.us/home |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Tulinabo S. MUSHINGI (since August 2017); note - also accredited to Guinea-Bissau embassy: Route des Almadies, Dakar mailing address: 2130 Dakar Place, Washington DC 20521-2130 telephone: [221] 33-879-4000 email address and website: DakarACS@state.gov https://sn.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Carlton "Carl" PASCHALL (since 9 April 2019) embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, P.M.B. 19, Banjul mailing address: 2070 Banjul Place, Washington DC 20521-2070 telephone: [220] 439-2856 FAX: [220] 439-2475 email address and website: ConsularBanjul@state.gov https://gm.usembassy.gov/ |
| Flag description | three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; green represents Islam, progress, and hope; yellow signifies natural wealth and progress; red symbolizes sacrifice and determination; the star denotes unity and hope note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Mali and the reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea | three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green; red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue represents the Gambia River, and green symbolizes forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace |
| National anthem | name: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons) lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title | name: For The Gambia, Our Homeland lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya" |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | lion; national colors: green, yellow, red | lion; national colors: red, blue, green, white |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Senegal dual citizenship recognized: no, but Senegalese citizens do not automatically lose their citizenship if they acquire citizenship in another state residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years | citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
Economy
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Senegal's economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas. The country's key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and Senegal is also working on oil exploration projects. It relies heavily on donor assistance, remittances and foreign direct investment. Senegal reached a growth rate of 7% in 2017, due in part to strong performance in agriculture despite erratic rainfall. President Macky SALL, who was elected in March 2012 under a reformist policy agenda, inherited an economy with high energy costs, a challenging business environment, and a culture of overspending. President SALL unveiled an ambitious economic plan, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which aims to implement priority economic reforms and investment projects to increase economic growth while preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and a challenging business climate are among the perennial challenges that may slow the implementation of this plan. Senegal receives technical support from the IMF under a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) to assist with implementation of the ESP. The PSI implementation continues to be satisfactory as concluded by the IMF's fifth review in December 2017. Financial markets have signaled confidence in Senegal through successful Eurobond issuances in 2014, 2017, and 2018. The government is focusing on 19 projects under the ESP to continue The government's goal under the ESP is structural transformation of the economy. Key projects include the Thiès-Touba Highway, the new international airport opened in December 2017, and upgrades to energy infrastructure. The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal's development. Electricity prices in Senegal are among the highest in the world. Power Africa, a US presidential initiative led by USAID, supports Senegal's plans to improve reliability and increase generating capacity. | The government has invested in the agriculture sector because three-quarters of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood and agriculture provides for about one-third of GDP, making The Gambia largely reliant on sufficient rainfall. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated and agricultural productivity is low. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of cashews, groundnuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's reexport trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports and China has been its largest trade partner for both exports and imports for several years. The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits. It relies heavily on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. Remittance inflows to The Gambia amount to about one-fifth of the country's GDP. The Gambia's location on the ocean and proximity to Europe has made it one of the most frequented tourist destinations in West Africa, boosted by private sector investments in eco-tourism and facilities. Tourism normally brings in about 20% of GDP, but it suffered in 2014 from tourists' fears of Ebola virus in neighboring West African countries. Unemployment and underemployment remain high. Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders were concerned about the quality of fiscal management under the administration of former President Yahya JAMMEH, who reportedly stole hundreds of millions of dollars of the country's funds during his 22 years in power, but anticipate significant improvements under the new administration of President Adama BARROW, who assumed power in early 2017. As of April 2017, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank were all negotiating with the new government of The Gambia to provide financial support in the coming months to ease the country's financial crisis. The country faces a limited availability of foreign exchange, weak agricultural output, a border closure with Senegal, a slowdown in tourism, high inflation, a large fiscal deficit, and a high domestic debt burden that has crowded out private sector investment and driven interest rates to new highs. The government has committed to taking steps to reduce the deficit, including through expenditure caps, debt consolidation, and reform of state-owned enterprises. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $55.324 billion (2019 est.) $52.553 billion (2018 est.) $49.402 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $5.218 billion (2019 est.) $4.92 billion (2018 est.) $4.588 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 7.2% (2017 est.) 6.2% (2016 est.) 6.4% (2015 est.) | 4.6% (2017 est.) 0.4% (2016 est.) 5.9% (2015 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $3,395 (2019 est.) $3,315 (2018 est.) $3,204 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $2,223 (2019 est.) $2,158 (2018 est.) $2,073 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 16.9% (2017 est.) industry: 24.3% (2017 est.) services: 58.8% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 20.4% (2017 est.) industry: 14.2% (2017 est.) services: 65.4% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 46.7% (2011 est.) | 48.6% (2015 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.1% (2011) | lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | -0.8% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) | 7.1% (2019 est.) 6.5% (2018 est.) 8% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 6.966 million (2017 est.) | 777,100 (2007 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 77.5% industry: 22.5% industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.) | agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 48% (2007 est.) | NA |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 40.3 (2011 est.) | 35.9 (2015 est.) |
| Budget | revenues: 4.139 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.9 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 300.4 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 339 million (2017 est.) |
| Industries | agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair | peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing |
| Industrial production growth rate | 7.7% (2017 est.) | -0.8% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | groundnuts, watermelons, rice, sugar cane, cassava, millet, maize, onions, sorghum, vegetables | groundnuts, milk, oil palm fruit, millet, sorghum, rice, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruit |
| Exports | $2.362 billion (2017 est.) $2.498 billion (2016 est.) | $643 million (2019 est.) $448 million (2018 est.) $435 million (2017 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | gold, refined petroleum, phosphoric acid, fish, ground nuts (2019) | lumber, cashews, refined petroleum, fish oil, ground nut oil (2019) |
| Exports - partners | Mali 22%, Switzerland 14%, India 9%, China 7% (2019) | China 38%, India 22%, Mali 7%, Chile 5% (2017) |
| Imports | $5.217 billion (2017 est.) $4.966 billion (2016 est.) | $1.246 billion (2019 est.) $851 million (2018 est.) $754 million (2017 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rice, cars, malt extract, clothing and apparel (2019) | clothing and apparel, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar, palm oil (2019) |
| Imports - partners | China 17%, France 11%, Belgium 7%, Russia 7%, Netherlands 7% (2019) | China 33%, India 10%, Senegal 5%, Brazil 5% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $8.571 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.327 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $586.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $571.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Exchange rates | Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 617.4 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) | dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 51.75 (2020 est.) 51.4 (2019 est.) 49.515 (2018 est.) 41.89 (2014 est.) 41.733 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
| Public debt | 48.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 88% of GDP (2017 est.) 82.3% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $1.827 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $116.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $170 million (31 December 2017 est.) $87.64 million (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | -$1.547 billion (2017 est.) -$769 million (2016 est.) | -$194 million (2017 est.) -$85 million (2016 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $23.576 billion (2019 est.) | $1.746 billion (2019 est.) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 59.3 (2020) Starting a Business score: 91.2 (2020) Trading score: 60.9 (2020) Enforcement score: 50.6 (2020) | Overall score: 50.3 (2020) Starting a Business score: 84.6 (2020) Trading score: 67.8 (2020) Enforcement score: 50.9 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 4.8% male: 5% female: 4.7% (2017 est.) | total: 25.8% male: 21% female: 32.3% (2018 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 71.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 90.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -2.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -40% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 23.4% of GDP (2018 est.) 22.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 20.4% of GDP (2015 est.) | 15.7% of GDP (2018 est.) 17.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2015 est.) |
Energy
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 4.167 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 304.1 million kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 3.497 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 282.8 million kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 17,880 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 59.46 million cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 59.46 million cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 977,000 kW (2016 est.) | 117,000 kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 82% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 97% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 11% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 17,590 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 48,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 3,800 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 4,063 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 42 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 32,050 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 3,738 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 71% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 94% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 50% (2019) | electrification - total population: 49% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 69% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 16% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 207,592 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.35 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 41,179 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.93 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 17,880,594 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116.37 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 2,977,068 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 139.53 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .sn | .gm |
| Internet users | total: 6,909,635 percent of population: 46% (July 2018 est.) | total: 406,918 percent of population: 19.84% (July 2017 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: universal mobile penetration since 2019; mobile broadband accounts for 97% of Internet access; 3G and LTE services for half of the population; African consortium issued a bond to finance network upgrades and services; importer of broadcasting equipment from UAE and China (2021) (2020)domestic: generally reliable urban system with a fiber-optic network; about two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar; mobile-cellular service is steadily displacing fixed-line service, even in urban areas; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 110 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 221; landing points for the ACE, Atlantis-2, MainOne and SAT-3/WASC submarine cables providing connectivity from South Africa, numerous western African countries, Europe and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: state-owned telecom partially privatized but retains a monopoly with fixed-line service; multiple mobile networks provide 2G to almost all citizens and above the African average; high poverty rates continue to limit access to the Internet, especially via fixed-line services in rural areas; weak political support for development of communications infrastructure, including National Broadband Network program; government depends on donors and loans from China and Islamic Development banks; two submarine cables provide international connectivity within African continent and Europe (2021) (2020) domestic: fixed-line stands at 2 per 100 subscriptions with one dominant company and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is over 140 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 220; landing point for the ACE submarine cable to West Africa and Europe; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 152,047 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2018 est.) | total: 4,433 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) |
| Broadcast media | state-run Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) broadcasts TV programs from five cities in Senegal; in most regions of the country, viewers can receive TV programming from at least 7 private broadcasters; a wide range of independent TV programming is available via satellite; RTS operates a national radio network and a number of regional FM stations; at least 7 community radio stations and 18 private-broadcast radio stations are available; transmissions of at least 5 international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Dakar (2019) | 1 state-run TV-channel; one privately-owned TV-station; 1 Online TV-station; three state-owned radio station and 31 privately owned radio stations; eight community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2019) |
Transportation
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Roadways | total: 16,665 km (2017) paved: 6,126 km (includes 241 km of expressways) (2017) unpaved: 10,539 km (2017) | total: 2,977 km (2011) paved: 518 km (2011) unpaved: 2,459 km (2011) |
| Waterways | 1,000 km (primarily on the Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance Rivers) (2012) | 390 km (on River Gambia; small oceangoing vessels can reach 190 km) (2010) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Dakar | major seaport(s): Banjul |
| Merchant marine | total: 34 by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 1, other 29 (2020) | total: 8 by type: other 8 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 20 (2013) | total: 1 (2020) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 9 (2017) over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017) | total: 1 (2019) over 3,047 m: 1 |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 21,038 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 40,000 mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 53,735 (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | 6V | C5 |
Military
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Senegalese Armed Forces (Forces Armées Sénégalaises, FAS): Army, Senegalese National Navy (Marine Senegalaise, MNS), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal), National Gendarmerie (includes Territorial and Mobile components) (2021) | Gambia Armed Forces: the Gambian National Army (GNA; includes a small air wing), Navy, Republican National Guard (responsible for VIP protection, riot control, and presidential security) (2021) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 20 years of age for selective conscript service; 2-year service obligation; women have been accepted into military service since 2008 (2019) | 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (18-22 for officers); no conscription; service obligation 6 months (2020) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 1.5% of GDP (2019 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2018) 1.5% of GDP (2017) 1.6% of GDP (2016) 1.2% of GDP (2015) | 0.8% of GDP (2019) 0.7% of GDP (2018) 1% of GDP (2015) 1.2% of GDP (2014) 0.8% of GDP (2013) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the Senegalese Armed Forces consist of approximately 19,000 active personnel (12,000 Army; 1,000 Navy/Coast Guard; 1,000 Air Force; 5,000 National Gendarmerie) (2021) | information varies; approximately 2,000 total active troops (2020) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the FAS inventory includes mostly older or second-hand equipment from a variety of countries, including France, South Africa, and Russia/former Soviet Union; in recent years, the FAS has been undergoing a significant modernization program; since 2010, it has received newer equipment from nearly 15 countries, led by China, France, and Israel (2020) | the GNA has a limited equipment inventory; the only reported weapons deliveries to the GNA since 2000 are second-hand patrol boats from Taiwan (2009) and one aircraft from Georgia (2004) (2020) |
| Military deployments | 750 Gambia; 1,000 Mali (MINUSMA) (Jan 2021) | 130 Sudan (UNAMID) (Jan 2021) |
Transnational Issues
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | cross-border trafficking in persons, timber, wildlife, and cannabis; rebels from the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance find refuge in Guinea-Bissau | attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states |
| Trafficking in persons | current situation: Senegal is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women who are subjected to forced begging, forced labor, and sex trafficking; traffickers subject Senegalese children to forced labor in domestic service, mining, and prostitution; some Senegalese boys from Quranic schools and boys from The Gambia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea are forced to beg; Senegalese women and girls are forced into domestic servitude in neighboring countries, Europe, and the Middle East, while others are sexually exploited in Senegal; women and girls from other West African countries are subjected to domestic servitude and sexual exploitation in Senegal; Ukrainian and Chinese women are exploited for sex trafficking in bars and nightclubs; North Korean workers are forced to work in construction tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Senegal does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include establishing an anti-trafficking database; planning the third phase of its program to remove vulnerable children, including trafficking victims, from the streets of major cities; launching an emergency campaign to place vulnerable children and forced begging victims in shelters due to COVID 19 pandemic; however, the government rarely proactively investigated or prosecuted traffickers exploiting children in forced begging; authorities did not take action against officials who refused to investigate such cases; officials only applied adequate prison terms in accordance with the 2005 anti-trafficking law to two convicted traffickers; authorities did not identify any adult trafficking victims; government officials continued to have a limited knowledge of trafficking; Senegal was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) | current situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Gambian women, children, and, to a lesser extent, boys are exploited for prostitution and domestic servitude; women, girls, and boys from West African countries are trafficked to the Gambia for sexual exploitation, particularly catering to European tourists seeking sex with children; some Gambian trafficking victims have been identified in neighboring West African countries and the UK; boys in some Koranic schools are forced into street vending or begging tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - The Gambia does not meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has increased investigations, identified more trafficking victims, improved security at a Department of Social Welfare shelter, increased training for officials, and raised public awareness of the problem of trafficking; the government was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List during this rating period; despite these efforts, the government did not convict a trafficker for the third consecutive year; victim services remained inadequate, and some law enforcement officers reportedly requested bribes to register trafficking complaints (2020) |
Environment
| Senegal | The Gambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 37.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 10.9 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.74 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 32.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.53 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.96 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 58 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.065 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 41.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 39.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 1.46% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 2.47% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,454,059 tons (2016 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 193,441 tons (2002 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
