Senegal vs Ivory Coast: Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Senegal and Ivory Coast on population, area, economy, geography, language and culture. A detailed side-by-side guide to two of Africa's most-searched countries.
| Metric | Senegal | Ivory Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Dakar | Yamoussoukro |
| Region | West Africa | West Africa |
| Population | 17,700,000 | 28,800,000 |
| Area (km²) | 196,722 | 322,463 |
| GDP (USD billion) | $31.1 | $79.4 |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| Official language(s) | French | French |
| Landlocked | No | No |
| Island nation | No | No |
Population
Ivory Coast has the larger population, with approximately 28,800,000 people compared to Senegal's 17,700,000 — a difference of roughly 39%. Population size affects everything from labor markets and consumer demand to political influence within Africa.
Area and Geography
Ivory Coast covers 322,463 km², while Senegal covers 196,722 km². The two countries sit in different parts of the continent: Senegal is in West Africa and Ivory Coast is in West Africa.
Economy
Ivory Coast has the larger nominal GDP at approximately $79.4 billion, compared to $31.1 billion for Senegal. Both economies have distinct strengths and structural challenges that shape their development trajectories.
Language and Culture
Senegal uses French as official language(s), while Ivory Coast uses French. These linguistic differences reflect distinct colonial histories and cultural traditions that continue to shape each country's identity, education system and international relationships.
Currency
Both countries share the West African CFA franc (XOF), simplifying cross-border trade and travel.
Quick Facts
- Ivory Coast is 1.6× the size of Senegal by area.
- Both countries are members of the African Union and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).