This article is about the demographic features of the population of Senegal, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population. About 42% of Senegal's population is rural. In rural areas, population density varies from about 77 per square kilometer (200/mile²) in the west-central region to 2 per square kilometer (5/mile²) in the arid eastern section. The average population density for the country is 68 people per square kilometer (169/sq mi). French is the official language but is used regularly only by the literate minority. Almost all Senegalese speak an indigenous language, of which Wolof has the largest usage. Many Senegalese live in Europe, particularly in France, Italy and Spain. Population According to the 2018 revision of the World Population Review the total population was 16,302,789 in May 2018, compared to only 2,416,000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2017 was 41.5%, between 15 and 54 years of age was 31.1%, while 55 years or older was 6.9%. . Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (Estimates 1.VII.2020): Vital statistics Registration of vital events in Senegal is not complete. The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates. Fertility and births Total Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Fertility data by region (DHS Program): Life expectancy Ethnic groups Wolof 37.1%, Pular 26.2%, Serer 17%, Mandinka 5.6%, Jola 4.5%, Soninke 1.4%, Other 8.3% (includes 50,000 Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2017) About 50,000 Europeans -represents the 0.3% of the population of Senegal- (mostly French) and Lebanese and Vietnamese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. Languages French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Jola, Mandinka, Soninke Religion The religious beliefs of the 2016 population of Senegal are: Muslim 96.1% (mostly Sunni), Christian 3.6% (mostly Roman Catholic), animist 0.3%. Other general statistics The following demographic statistics of Senegal are from the World Population Review. One birth every 55 seconds One death every 6 minutes One net migrant every 26 minutes Net gain of one person every 1 minutes The following demographic are from the CIA World Factbook unless otherwise indicated. Population 17,923,036 (2022 est.) 15,020,945 (July 2018 est.) Religions Muslim 97.2% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 2.7% (mostly Roman Catholic) (2019 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 40.38% (male 3,194,454/female 3,160,111) 15-24 years: 20.35%