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In The News
Senegal has not much of natural resources
nor they are a rich country. They are the western most country in the
continent. Fish, phosphates,
Iron ore are the main natural
resources. 70% of the 10 million population are
engaged in agriculture.
48% of urban youth is unemployed.
Adult Literacy is as low as 39%.
But Senegal can be proud of their bold
initiative they took in 1994 to reform and restructure their economy
with the aid of international donor community. Today,
Senegal is the only country in west Africa who can claim a steady
economic development since 1994. There is
an IT boom in Senegal. The country has
full internet coverage.
Realizing the importance of private sector
in the national economy, the government liberalized all sectors for full private participation.
Private activity now accounts for
82% of GDP. In the past six years, country has an average GDP annual
growth of 5%. Through WAEMU, The West
African Economic and Monetary Union , Senegal is working towards
greater regional integration with a unified external tariff.
Contentious Issues
Senegal faces problems from internal
dissidents and rebels who disrupt legal trading at the border. Senegal
has deep-seated urban problems of chronic
unemployment, trade union militancy, juvenile delinquency, and drug
addiction. Juvenile crime is to a good
extent attributable to the high unemployment levels among urban youth.
The
Senegalese separatist rebels engage in smuggling and other illegal
activities in the neighboring Guinea- Bissau .
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Capital: Dakar
Area: 196 200 km²
Population: 8 532 000
Currency: 1 US$ = 600 CFA
GDP: 134/1 596$
HDI : 160/326
CPI : 55/3.3
Languages: French, Wolof, Fulani, Serer, Dioula
Ethnic groups: Wolof 44%, Fulani & Tukulor 24%, Serer 15%, Diola
5%, Malinke 4%
Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 6%, Animist 4%
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