Social Dimensions for your Host Country

Population: 12,521,851 (July 2007 estimate)

Life expectancy:

• total population: 57.08 years
• male: 55.7 years
• female: 58.5 years

Fertility rate (# children being born per woman): 4.86 children born/woman

Mortality rate:

• total: 58.93 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 62.79 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 54.96 deaths/1,000 live births

Ethnic groups and percentage of each: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%           

Religious groups and percentages: Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages spoken in order of prevalance: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka (and many more)

Literacy rate (% over age 15 who can read and write):

• total population: 39.3%
• male: 51.1%
• female: 29.2%

Percentage that goes to university: 5.5%

Average income: about $2 per day