Senegal has a population of around 18 million, growing fast — the median age is under 20. The country is predominantly Muslim (around 95%), with a significant Catholic minority mainly in Casamance and among the Serer people of the central regions. Religious tolerance is one of Senegal's notable characteristics; Christmas and Easter are public holidays alongside Islamic observances.
Ethnic Groups
The Wolof are the largest group, making up roughly 40% of the population, and their language and culture dominate the country's identity. The Wolof originated in the Sahel and have traditionally been traders and farmers. They are known throughout West Africa for their entrepreneurial energy and their storytelling tradition.
The Fula (also called Peul or Fulani) are pastoralists spread across the Sahel, and Senegal has a substantial Fula population, particularly in the north and east. The Serer are Senegal's third-largest group, historically rice farmers of the Sine-Saloum region, many of whom maintained Christianity or traditional beliefs despite centuries of Islamisation. The Diola (Jola) of Casamance have a distinct identity and were central to the separatist movement of recent decades. The Mandinka, Soninke, and Toucouleur round out the major groups.
Language
French is the official language, the language of government and higher education. But in the street, the market, and across the radio, it is Wolof that connects Senegalese society across ethnic lines. Most Senegalese speak at least some Wolof regardless of their own ethnic background. If you learn a few phrases, people will be delighted and the ice will break immediately.
Teranga
The Wolof concept of teranga — roughly translated as hospitality — is not just a slogan. Guests are genuinely welcomed, often fed before the hosts eat, and treated with a generosity that can be disarming. This is not performance for tourists; it is embedded in how Senegalese society functions. Accepting an invitation to share a meal, joining a tea ceremony (attaya), or sitting down with a family is one of the genuine pleasures of travelling in Senegal.
Islam and the Brotherhoods
Senegalese Islam is organized around powerful Sufi brotherhoods — most notably the Mourides (centered on Touba) and the Tijaniyya. The brotherhoods have enormous social and economic influence, and the relationship between devotees and their religious leaders (marabouts) is central to daily life. You will see images of religious leaders in homes, businesses, and on vehicles across the country. The Mourides, in particular, have a well-organized economic network that spans West Africa, Europe, and North America.