Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal
Senegal: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 25.6% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal, 1978–2023
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal is 25.6%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 59.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal peaked at 26.3% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 1978.
That places Senegal 88th out of 113 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 0.6% | — |
| 1986 | 2.4% | +300.0% |
| 1993 | 4.8% | +100.0% |
| 1997 | 8.1% | +68.8% |
| 1999 | 8.2% | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 10.3% | +25.6% |
| 2011 | 12.1% | +17.5% |
| 2013 | 16.1% | +33.1% |
| 2014 | 20.3% | +26.1% |
| 2015 | 21.2% | +4.4% |
| 2016 | 23.1% | +9.0% |
| 2017 | 26.3% | +13.9% |
| 2018 | 25.4% | -3.4% |
| 2019 | 25.5% | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 25.6% | +0.4% |
Senegal compared with similar countries
- Senegal's 25.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 57% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
- Senegal's 25.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.3%, 1.0× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | +300.0% | 0.6% | 2.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 7.0% | 4.8% | 8.2% | 3 |
| 2000s | 10.3% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.2% | 12.1% | 26.3% | 8 |
| 2020s | 25.6% | 25.6% | 25.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Senegal
- 85 Armenia 28.0% compare
- 86 Ghana 27.8% compare
- 87 Tajikistan 27.1% compare
- 89 Mozambique 25.4% compare
- 90 Cote d'Ivoire 25.2% compare
- 91 Pakistan 25.0% compare
More gender data for Senegal
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 7,600 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.35 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 13,563 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 13,563 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.69 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 263,002 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 269,605 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 257,895 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 263,988 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 250,294 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Senegal was 25.6% in 2023, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Senegal?
- The highest recorded value was 26.3% in 2017.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Senegal?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 1978.
- How does Senegal rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Senegal ranks 88th out of 113 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive methods rising or falling in Senegal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Senegal data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.