The Senegalese labor market, in the third quarter of 2024, continues to present major challenges, according to the report from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD). With an activity rate of 58.3% and an employment rate of 42.8%, the indicators show a downward trend compared to the previous year. These developments highlight marked disparities between genders and areas of residence, as well as worrying structural changes.
A declining activity rate: Women and rural areas lagging behind
In the third quarter of 2024, 58.3% of Senegalese aged 15 or over participated in the labor market. This figure marks a decrease of 3.1 points compared to the same period in 2023.
• Rural and urban disparities:
The activity rate is slightly higher in rural areas (58.8%) than in urban areas (58.0%). This difference is explained by a strong involvement of rural populations in agricultural activities, even informal ones, although this participation is often linked to seasonal and precarious jobs.
• Persistent gender inequalities:
Men have an activity rate of 68.7%, compared to only 47.7% for women. This 21-point gap reflects the challenges women face: increased domestic responsibility, limited access to education and economic opportunities, and cultural biases.
This overall decline in labor force participation can be attributed to several factors, including a decline in economic opportunities in certain key sectors and an increasing migration of workers to areas with better employment prospects.
A decline in employment: Who are most affected?
The employment rate, measuring the share of people in employment among those of working age, stands at 42.8% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 44.4% for the same period in 2023. This drop of 1. 6 point testifies to a stagnation of the Senegalese labor market.
• Rural employment vs. urban :
Unlike the activity rate, employment is higher in urban areas (45.7%) than in rural areas (38.3%). This reflects a concentration of formal jobs in urban areas, while rural areas remain dominated by informal or underemployed jobs.
• Gender disparities:
Men are much more represented in employment, with a rate of 56.4%, compared to only 28.8% for women. These data confirm that women remain mainly confined to unpaid or informal activities, such as family farming or local commerce.
Salaried jobs: A contrasting development
Salaried employment, which constitutes an essential component of the formal economy, represents 38.9% of total employment in the third quarter of 2024, up 1.6 points compared to 2023 (37.3%).
• By gender:
Access to paid employment remains greater for men (43.6%) than for women (29.5%), a disparity which illustrates the difficulties for women in integrating the more structured sectors of the economy.
• By place of residence:
Paid employment is significantly more common in urban areas (48.9%) than in rural areas (20.6%). This situation highlights the mismatch between labor availability and formal employment opportunities in rural areas.
A shrinking family help sector
Caregivers, an often underestimated segment of the workforce, will represent 6.3% of workers in 2024, compared to 8.2% in 2023.
• Strong rurality:
This type of work remains mainly concentrated in rural areas (12.9%) where traditional family structures play a key role in agricultural and artisanal production.
• Gender balance:
Unlike other categories, family helpers are distributed equally between men (6.2%) and women (6.5%).
Underlying problems and prospects
The decline in activity and employment rates raises several questions about the evolution of the Senegalese labor market:
1. Economic stagnation: The decline in formal employment opportunities, combined with an informal economy dominated by seasonal and low-paying activities, is slowing the expansion of the labor market.
2. Structural inequalities: Gender gaps and rural-urban disparities reflect deep-rooted challenges that require specific policies.
3. Low industrialization: Senegal remains dependent on agriculture and informal services, limiting its capacity to generate formal, well-paid jobs.
Recommendations to revitalize activity and employment
1. Economic diversification: Invest in sectors such as manufacturing, digital technologies and energy to create formal jobs in rural and urban areas.
2. Support for rural entrepreneurship: Encourage local innovation, particularly in agro-industry, and offer accessible financing for small entrepreneurs.
3. Targeted professional training: Adapt educational programs to the real needs of businesses, with an emphasis on growing sectors.
4. Promotion of female employment: Create incentives for employers to recruit and train women, and develop specific programs for rural women.
ANSD data for the third quarter of 2024 show a Senegalese labor market under tension, with a drop in activity and employment. These trends reflect not only economic stagnation, but also persistent social and geographic inequalities. Rapid and targeted action is needed to transform these challenges into opportunities and guarantee inclusive growth for all Senegalese.
