The population of Senegal is 10,284,929 (2001 estimate). The overall population density is 52 persons per sq km (135 per sq mi), but the majority of the population is concentrated along the western coast. The population is 54 % rural. Senegal’s population experiences a high annual growth rate of 2.9% (2001). The population of Senegal incorporates a variety of ethnic groups. The largest of these include the Wolof ,Fulani and Tukulor, Serer ,Diola ,and Mandinka -also known as Mandingo or Malinke; 4%.

About 70% of Senegal's population is rural. In rural areas, density varies from about 77 per square kilometer in the west-central region to 2 per square kilometer in the arid eastern section. About 50,000 Europeans and Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. French is the official language but is used regularly only by the literate minority. All Senegalese speak an indigenous language, of which Wolof has the largest usage.