Senegal · Africa
How many people die in Senegal every day?
In Senegal, about 301 people die every day, roughly one death every 5 minutes. That is about 110,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 76th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 67.5 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
301
Deaths per year
110,000
Life expectancy
67.5 years
Population
17,763,163
Death rate
6.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Senegal
67.5
World avg
72.8
-5.3 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Senegal
6.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Senegal by time period
| Per hour | 13 |
| Per day | 301 |
| Per week | 2,110 |
| Per month | 9,167 |
| Per year | 110,000 |
What people die of in Senegal
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Senegal in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 12.1% of all deaths, about 33 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and heart disease (ischaemic).
Deaths from kidney diseases have more than doubled since 2000, from about 1,169 to 2,875 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 77% since 2000, from about 17,532 to 4,080 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stroke | 12,227 | 33 | 12.1% | +93% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 7,911 | 22 | 7.8% | -30% |
| 3 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 6,523 | 18 | 6.5% | +122% |
| 4 | Preterm birth complications | 4,392 | 12 | 4.4% | -17% |
| 5 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 4,080 | 11 | 4% | -77% |
| 6 | Road injuries | 4,041 | 11 | 4% | +83% |
| 7 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 3,557 | 9.7 | 3.5% | +78% |
| 8 | Tuberculosis | 3,496 | 9.6 | 3.5% | +1% |
| 9 | Diabetes | 3,058 | 8.4 | 3% | +110% |
| 10 | Kidney diseases | 2,875 | 7.9 | 2.9% | +146% |
Deaths in Senegal since 2000
WHO estimates that about 100,831 people died in Senegal in 2023, 2% fewer than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 102,616 deaths |
| 2010 | 87,528 deaths |
| 2019 | 92,570 deaths |
| 2023 | 100,831 deaths |
Life expectancy in Senegal since 1950
A baby born in Senegal in 1950 could expect to live about 36.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 68.7, a gain of 32.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 36.5 years |
| 1980 | 48.3 years |
| 2000 | 57.6 years |
| 2010 | 64.2 years |
| 2019 | 67.7 years |
| 2023 | 68.7 years |
Senegal compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Senegal ranks 7th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 301 | 67.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Somalia | 411 | 55.4 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Chad | 466 | 52.5 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Zimbabwe | 329 | 59.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Malawi | 329 | 62.9 | HIV/AIDS |
| Zambia | 384 | 61.2 | HIV/AIDS |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Senegal every day?
In Senegal, about 301 people die every day, or roughly one death every 5 minutes. That adds up to about 110,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Senegal?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Senegal. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put stroke first in 2023, with 12.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Senegal?
Life expectancy at birth in Senegal is 67.5 years, 5.3 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 132nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Senegal high?
Senegal records about 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.