180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
Dakar is the easiest big city in West Africa to love — surf before breakfast, a serious art scene, grilled fish on the beach at sunset. Upcountry there's jazz in crumbling Saint-Louis and a lake that's genuinely bubble-gum pink. Senegal has never had a coup, which counts for a lot around here. City street-smarts cover most risks. Homosexuality is illegal though: LGBT+ travellers should sit this one out.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Senegal: 7.9
Ranked 48th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
An estimated 7.91 homicides per 100,000 people — an elevated rate by world standards. The 2021 estimate is the freshest figure that exists.
Higher than 72% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Senegal: 1.9
Ranked 86th most peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 58% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 1.936.
Up 5 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Senegal: 6.4
Ranked 73rd least free country in the world.
Less free than 61% of the 165 countries measured — 6.49 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 6.73; doing business and owning property, 6.15.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Senegal: Illegal
Ranked 55th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Homosexuality is criminalised here, with a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a fine of 1,500,000 West African CFA Francs.
Public attitudes score 3 out of 100 — the law and public opinion are not the same thing.