Senegal’s population rose to 18.9 m people in 2025.

Neither way is good in itself. A rising population can mean a bigger workforce and a bigger home market, and it can also mean more pressure on schools, housing, jobs and public services. Which effect dominates depends on what the economy does with the extra people, so the direction carries no verdict by itself. The latest figure is 18.9 million for January 2025, up from 18.5 million a year earlier. That is a rise of 0.43 million people, or 2.3%. Since 2016 the series has climbed from 15 million, and the latest reading is the highest in that span.

Why it matters. Each year adds about 0.43 million people, so Senegal needs more school places, clinics, homes and jobs every year just to keep services at today's level. For firms, a larger population means more customers and more potential workers. For the state, planning for water, transport and public spending has to start from a total that keeps growing.