Kaolack Region: population, jobs, poverty, health and schools
Kaolack Region is a region of Senegal, number 4 of 14 by population. The Kaolack region had 1,336,720 residents at the 2023 General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5), 674,912 men and 661,809 women: 7.4% of Senegal's 18.13 million people and 4th largest of 14 regions by population. There were 102.0 men for every 100 women (Senegal: 102.6).
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Kaolack Region: Household consumption in Kaolack, including food grown at home, averaged 442,489 CFA francs per person a year in 2021/22, 6th highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 542,706 CFA francs).
- Health in Kaolack Region: Life expectancy at birth in Kaolack was 67.8 years at the 2023 census (66.1 for men and 69.5 for women), joint 6th lowest of 14 regions (Senegal: 68.9).
- Education in Kaolack Region: 69.2% of people aged 10 and over in Kaolack could read and write in some language at the 2023 census (72.9% of men and 65.8% of women), the joint highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 62.2%).
- Poverty and living standards in Kaolack Region: 49.6% of people in Kaolack lived below the national poverty line in 2021/22, 6th highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 37.5%).
How fast is the population of Kaolack growing?
Kaolack's population grew from 960,875 at the 2013 census to 1,336,720 in 2023, an average of 3.3% a year, 5th fastest of 14 regions (Senegal: 2.9% a year).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyHow densely populated is Kaolack?
Kaolack covers 5,310 km², giving 252 people per km² in 2023, 4th most densely populated of 14 regions (Senegal: 92 per km²).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyHow many people in Kaolack live in towns?
38.2% of Kaolack's residents (510,962 people) lived in urban areas at the 2023 census, 6th most urban of 14 regions (Senegal: 54.7%).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyHow young is the population of Kaolack?
43.5% of Kaolack's population was under 15 at the 2023 census and 3.3% was 65 or older; the share of children is 7th highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 39.1% and 3.8%).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyWhat are the departments of Kaolack region?
The region has 3 departments. The most populous in 2023 was Kaolack with 664,054 residents (49.7% of the region), and the fastest-growing since 2013 was Nioro (356,927 to 512,610).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyHow many children do women in Kaolack have?
At the birth rates of the three years before the 2023 Continuous Demographic and Health Survey, a woman in Kaolack would have 4.3 children on average, 7th lowest of 14 regions (Senegal: 4.0).
Source: ANSD with the Ministry of Health and Social Action and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow regions are governed in Senegal
Administrative regions (14). Governor appointed by the president. State administration only since 2013 (regions are no longer local governments).
Every tier of government in Senegal
Other regions of Senegal
- Dakar Region 4,004,426
- Thiès Region 2,463,677
- Diourbel Region 2,080,333
- Saint-Louis Region 1,202,441
- Louga Region 1,125,908
- Tambacounda Region 987,152
- Kolda Region 914,798
- Fatick Region 906,918
- Matam Region 831,630
- Kaffrine Region 820,405
- Ziguinchor Region 617,567
- Sédhiou Region 589,266
- Kédougou Region 245,147
Up a level: Senegal · government and power in Senegal · cities
Sources
- ANSD with the Ministry of Health and Social Action and ICF (The DHS Program): Senegal Continuous Demographic and Health Survey 2023 (EDS-Continue 2023), tables volume (July 2024): Tables 2.12, 2.18, 5.2, 9.7, 10.4, 11.1 and 12.1 by region, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1fffc1c6f81…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): RGPH-5 2023 final report, chapter 3: economic characteristics (Tables III-6, III-14, III-19 and III-30 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 730e092da9d6…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): RGPH-5 2023 final report, chapter 2: literacy and schooling (Tables II-5, II-14 and II-27 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7aff3a1e56b3…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): RGPH-5 2023 final report, chapter 8: housing (Tables VIII-4, VIII-10 and VIII-12 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e37b2c844936…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): RGPH-5 2023 final report, chapter 5: mortality (Tables V-18, V-20, V-22 and V-25 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22bfde37cb9b…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): RGPH-5 2023 final report, chapter 1: state and structure of the population (Tables I-9, I-16, I-21, I-22 and I-26 by region and department), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8806140091f5…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): Harmonised Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM II) 2021/2022, final report: Table III-2 (poverty by region), Table VII-11 (toilets) and section VIII.1 (food insecurity), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 783631557317…)
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