Senegal Country Programme

The West African country of Senegal has been one of the most stable in the region since its independence in 1960. New governmental and parliamentary elections are held regularly and popular participation in the multi-party system is high. Some 55 per cent of the population live in rural areas and the average age is about 23 years. Young people under 20 years of age make up some 60 per cent of the population. 

However, for this overwhelmingly young population, prospects of a life that provides sufficient income for themselves and their families have been steadily dwindling – especially in the countryside. Undersized plots of land, infertile and eroding soil, lack of rain, insufficient means of production and lack of capital are some of the reasons why farming and livestock rearing families are often unable to live on their earnings. In addition, for some years now land speculation and «land-grabbing» by investors have been a problem. Smallholder families without official land titles risk losing their land. Living space for livestock rearing families and their herds is also under threat. Many young people are migrating to the cities or abroad in search of a better life.