| Chapter 2: | Linguistic and Demographic Profile of Senegal |
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In Senegal, the literacy rate for adults (people over 15 years of age) in 2005 was 39.3%, whereas it was 98.5% in Italy, which is ranked 20th in the HDI listing (Human Development Report, 2007/2008, pp. 229–231). Senegal's adult illiteracy rates—60.7% in 2003—are among the highest in the world (World Development Indicators Database, 2005).
In 2005, Senegal's combined gross educational enrolment rate (including primary, secondary, and tertiary education) of 39.6% was among the lowest in the world. In contrast, Iceland's and Norway's combined gross educational enrolment rates were 95.4% and 99.2%, respectively (Human Development Report, 2007/2008, p. 229). Senegal also ranks low in terms of the amount it spends on its educational system. Between 2000 and 2002, Senegal spent only 3.6% of its GDP on education, and from 2007 to 2008, it spent 3.9%. Such countries as Brunei Darussalam (ranked 33rd in the HDI listing) and Cuba (ranked 52nd in the HDI listing) respectively spent 9.1% and 18.7% of their GDP on education in 2005 (Human Development Report, 2005, pp. 254–256). In short, Senegal has been found wanting in virtually every area relating to education.
Poverty is high in Senegal. According to the Human Development Report (2006), between the years of 1990 and 2003, 26.3% of Senegal's population lived on an income that was less than the equivalent of US$1 a day, and around 67.8% lived on an income that was less than the equivalent of US$2 a day. The reports also noted that 33.4% of the population lived below the national poverty level between the years of 1990 and 2002. The consequences of poverty in Senegal are reflected in the general health of the nation; in addition to the country's low life expectancy, its infant mortality rate in 2003 was as high as 78 per every 1,000 live births (Human Development Reports, 2006).
Good Governance
When considered from the perspective of good governance, Senegal again falls short. Along with the HDI, good governance has become an important barometer for governments, international donors and financial institutions, as well as nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), among others, for measuring a country's progress and development. Good