Western Africa

Senegal

Absolute number

Prevalence

554.5 thousand

Married by 15: Number of girls and women (left) and percentage of women 20-24 years (right) married before age 15

9%
2 million

Married by 18: Number of girls and women (left) and percentage of women 20-24 years (right) married before age 18

30%

Prevalence of child marriage

  • Senegal
  • Western Africa
Child marriage age

The line chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) in Senegal and Western Africa from 1998 to 2024.

In Senegal, 36% of girls in 1998 married before age 18, compared with 30% in 2023, which is the latest available value.

In Western Africa, the prevalence was 43% in 1999 and was 32% in 2024.

Show data table
YearSenegalWestern Africa
199835.8%
199942.8%
200334.1%
200441.2%
200834.5%
200938.9%
201331.4%
201439.6%
201829.6%
201939.5%
202330.2%
202431.6%
Child marriage age

Senegal

Child Marriage
Prevalence

Residence

  • Rural
  • Urban
Show Residence data table
YearRuralUrban
202341.3%17.9%

Wealth

  • Poorest
  • Second
  • Middle
  • Fourth
  • Richest
Show Wealth data table
YearPoorestSecondMiddleFourthRichest
202354.4%44.6%27.7%19.3%13.0%

Education

  • No schooling
  • Primary education
  • Secondary or higher
Show Education data table
YearNo schoolingPrimary educationSecondary or higher
202349.1%42.3%14.5%
Child marriage age

Compare regions of Senegal

Understand differences inside the country

Touch the timeline to see how the child marriage affect differently each sub-region of Senegal in the last decades.

Levels of child marriage vary across different parts of Senegal. See the range of values within the country, and explore the map for details.

Prevalence of child marriage

Compare regions of Senegal

Understand differences
inside the country

Child marriage age

Region with no data

2023

Prevalence of child marriage in each region of Senegal in 2023

0%100%
Map view not available for this data

Region with no data

2023

Prevalence of child marriage in each region of Senegal in 2023

0%100%

The map shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) across Senegal. Data refer to 2023, the latest year with available data.

The practice is most common in Kolda (55%), Kaffrine (53%), Tambacounda (51%), and Kedougou (49%).

Show data table
YearDakarThiesDiourbelKaffrineKaolackLougaFatickZiguinchorSedhiouKoldaMatamSaint-LouisKedougouTambacounda
13.7%21.2%32.9%52.7%34.6%40.6%38.5%16.6%38.9%55.2%45.5%34.8%49.3%50.6%
Child marriage age

Compare countries

How does Senegal compare to other countries?

Prevalence of child marriage

  • Senegal
Child marriage age

The line chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) in Senegal from 1998 to 2023.

In Senegal, 36% of girls in 1998 married before age 18, compared with 30% in 2023, which is the latest available value.

Show data table
YearSenegal
199835.8%
200334.1%
200834.5%
201331.4%
201829.6%
202330.2%

Residence

Child marriage prevalence

Review the data to find if girls living in rural areas are more likely to marry in childhood than girls in urban areas

The bubble chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) disaggregated by residence in Senegal. Data refer to the latest available year.

In Senegal, 30% of girls married before age 18. The prevalence is 41% of girls in rural areas, compared with 18% in urban areas.

Show data table
CountryRuralUrbanTotal
Senegal41.3%17.9%30.2%
Child marriage age

For more data related to child marriage, please see the child marriage country profiles available on the UNICEF Data website

UNICEF Data

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Where does child marriage occur?

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