Senegal - Context and Land Governance | Land Portal
Senegal Agriculture photo by IFPRI

After achieving independence in 1960, Senegal experienced several years of economic growth, mostly based on agricultural resources and increases in productivity. Senegal has a population of about 12 million people; 58% of the population is rural, but the majority of people living in rural areas are poor. Although 60% of the population works in the agricultural sector, agriculture accounts for only 15% of the total GDP of the country.

The Constitution of 2001 recognizes economic and social rights, including the right to own property for every citizen. The National Domain Law was intended to limit the influence of ethnic and religious hierarchies; it encourages a more productive use of land and the creation of better condition for agricultural exports, while also giving control over land to decentralized government bodies. The Rural Community Law of 1972 established the structure for rural councils, which have the authority to allocate use rights to land and the criteria for the improvement of production-based on local development plans. Despite several other land laws that have been passed, land access and use is primarily regulated by customary law that generally tends to favor elites.

Consequently, land disputes are increasingly common in Senegal. Additionally, open access rules and practices on public land lead to a situation in which everyone is entitled to use land without any consideration of the damages that may result. Mechanisms for dispute resolution include formal and customary procedures as well as alternative systems, such as arbitration boards and municipal councils. 

Selected indicators

Total spending for agricultural reserch measured measured as a share of the value added from agriculture, forestry and fishing activities

Measurement unit: 
Percentage (%)

Distribution of agricultural holders by sex (female - Share %) according to the FAO Land and Gender Database.

Measurement unit: 
Percentage (%)

GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP). PPP GDP is gross domestic product converted to international dollars using purchasing power parity rates.

Measurement unit: 
PPP$ 2011

This indicator measures the weighted proportion (%) of survey respondents who have been requested to pay a bribe, among those who contacted land services.

Measurement unit: 
Percentage (%)

Land area is the total area (1'000 ha) of the country excluding area under inland water bodies.

Measurement unit: 
1'000 ha

This country-level indicator measures the extension (in sq. Km) of livestock-only systems in rangeland-based arid and semi-arid areas [LGA].

Measurement unit: 
Sq Km

Estimate of the percent of total Indigenous and Community Lands - independent of recognition status - as a percentage of the country's total land area

Measurement unit: 
Percentage (%)

This indicator is taken from the OECD the Gender, Institutions and Development Database (GID-DB). It is and index ranging from 0 to 1.

Measurement unit: 
Index (0; 1)

Rural population refers to the share (%) of people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the ratio between Urban Population and Total Population.

Measurement unit: 
Percentage (%)

The world at a glance

Loading map...

Estimate of the percent of total Indigenous and Community Lands - formally recognised by the State - as a percentage of the country's total land area.

Measurement unit: 
Percentage (%)

Compare countries

Loading chart...
Loading spider chart
Loading pie chart

Arable land (1'000 Ha) is the land under temporary agricultural crops (multiple-cropped areas are counted only once), temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market and kitchen gardens

Measurement unit: 
1'000 ha

It measures the area (1'000 Ha) covered by forest.

Measurement unit: 
1'000 ha

Land area is the total area (1'000 ha) of the country excluding area under inland water bodies.

Measurement unit: 
1'000 ha

Land used permanently (five years or more) to grow herbaceous forage crops through cultivation or naturally (wild prairie or grazing land).

Measurement unit: 
1'000 ha

Land cultivated with long-term crops which do not have to be replanted for several years (such as cocoa and coffee), land under trees and shrubs producing flowers (such as roses and jasmine), and n

Measurement unit: 
1'000 ha

Disclaimer: The data displayed on the Land Portal is provided by third parties indicated as the data source or as the data provider. The Land Portal team is constantly working to ensure the highest possible standard of data quality and accuracy, yet the data is by its nature approximate and will contain some inaccuracies. The data may contain errors introduced by the data provider(s) and/or by the Land Portal team. In addition, this page allows you to compare data from different sources, but not all indicators are necessarily statistically comparable. The Land Portal Foundation (A) expressly disclaims the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any data and (B) shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or other defects in, delays or interruptions in such data, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Neither the Land Portal Foundation nor any of its data providers will be liable for any damages relating to your use of the data provided herein.