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Senegal

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West Africa

Senegal is home to 7 documented ethnic groups in West Africa — led by Wolof Senegal (~43%), Fulani Senegal (~24%), Serer (~15%), Senegal Other (~10%). This page blends their phenotype and demographic data into one weighted reference: skin tone, facial features, hair texture and build, drawn from published census and ancestry sources.

Demographic Composition

Composition weights are derived from self-identification in published census and demographic surveys. Each row links to the source ethnic-group atlas page.

Ethnic groupWeightSource
Wolof SenegalWolof Senegal43.0%Senegal 2013 Census plus subsequent estimates; Wolof (~43%, ~7.7M+ of ~18M+ total). Niger-Congo source population, the largest single ethnic group. Cross-border with Gambian and Mauritanian Wolof
Fulani SenegalFulani Senegal24.4%Senegal 2013 Census; Fulani / Peulh (~24.4%); cross-border populations
SererSerer14.9%Senegal 2013 Census; Serer (~14.9%); Niger-Congo source population
Senegal OtherSenegal Other9.6%Senegal 2013 Census residual; includes Lebou, Toucouleur (Halpulaar-related), plus Lebanese-Senegalese, French-Senegalese, plus Mauritanian-Senegalese smaller groups
Jola SenegalJola Senegal4.0%Senegal 2013 Census; Jola / Diola (~4%); predominantly Casamance region. Cross-border with Gambian and Guinea-Bissauan Jola
Mandinka SenegalMandinka Senegal3.0%Senegal 2013 Census; Mandinka (~3%); Mande source population, cross-border
Soninke SenegalSoninke Senegal1.1%Senegal 2013 Census; Soninke (~1.1%); Mande source population, cross-border

Senegal Phenotype Profile

Senegal has a Wolof-plurality demographic structure (~43%) with substantial Fulani (~24.4%), Serer (~14.9%), and other smaller groups.

A descriptive view, not a claim about individuals

This page shows a weighted aggregate of phenotype observations across the Senegal population, based on demographic composition from published census and ancestry sources. Phenotypes within any country are far more varied than the aggregate suggests; this is a descriptive reference, not a deterministic claim about any individual. For source-level detail on individual ethnic groups, see the constituent atlas pages linked below.

Methodology Notes

Composition weights derived from Senegal 2013 Census plus subsequent estimates.

See full project methodology →

Primary Sources

  1. 1.Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie Senegal. RGPHAE 2013. Dakar: ANSD; 2015.
  2. 2.Coulon C. Le marabout et le prince: Islam et pouvoir au Sénégal. Pedone; 1981.
  3. 3.Diouf M. Senegal Mouride Trans-state Network: Changes in the Social Status of Women. Africa Today. 2002;49(4):17-27.
  4. 4.Tishkoff SA, Reed FA, Friedlaender FR, et al. The genetic structure and history of Africans and African Americans. Science. 2009;324(5930):1035-1044.
  5. 5.Klein MA. Slavery and Colonial Rule in French West Africa. Cambridge University Press; 1998.

Other countries in West Africa

Aggregate phenotype references for neighbouring West Africa nations, weighted by demographic composition.

Browse all West Africaethnic groups & countries →