Dakar: population and official figures
What is the population of Dakar?
Dakar, the capital of Senegal, had 1,457,697 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 July 2021, according to an official estimate (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Dakar rank among cities in Senegal?
Of the 15 cities the UN table lists for Senegal (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 2nd largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Dakar?
Women and girls made up 49.6% of residents (722,526 female, 735,172 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow big is Dakar?
It covers 79 km², about 18,452 people per km².
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyThe UN marks this figure as an estimate of lower reliability.
Who runs Dakar?
In Senegal, cities and towns are run by departments: Prefect appointed by the president; departmental council elected for five years, and its president is the head of the winning list. Local government for coordination and investment; in Dakar, Pikine and Guédiawaye the city takes the departmental council's role.
How local power works in Senegal
Cities of a similar size in Senegal
- Pikine 1,489,164
- Rufisque 624,129
- Mbour 467,124
- Guediawaye 419,302
- Kaolack 367,263
Up a level: all cities in Senegal · Senegal · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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