Official name:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Region:
General Information
| Region | Western Africa | |
| Population (000, 2021) | 4 775a | |
| Pop. density (per km2, 2021) | 4.6a | |
| Capital city | Nouakchott | |
| Capital city pop. (000, 2021) | 1 259.0b | |
| UN membership date | 27-Oct-61 | |
| Surface area (km2) | 1 030 700b | |
| Sex ratio (m per 100 f) | 100.9a | |
| National currency | Ouguiya (MRU) | |
| Exchange rate (per US$) | 36.7c |
Economic indicators
| 2010 | 2015 | 2021 | |
| GDP: Gross domestic product (million current US$) | 5 629 | 6 167 | 7 594b |
| GDP growth rate (annual %, const. 2015 prices) | 2.6 | 5.4 | 5.9b |
| GDP per capita (current US$) | 1 610.9 | 1 524.1 | 1 677.9b |
| Economy: Agricultured (% of Gross Value Added) | 17.6 | 23 | 20.8b |
| Economy: Industrye,f (% of Gross Value Added) | 40.3 | 25.3 | 28.3b |
| Economy: Services and other activityg (% of GVA) | 42.1 | 51.7 | 50.9b |
| Employment in agricultureh (% of employed) | 56.9 | 53.8 | 50.6c |
| Employment in industryh (% of employed) | 11.9 | 12.5 | 13.1c |
| Employment in servicesh (% employed) | 31.2 | 33.7 | 36.3c |
| Unemploymenth (% of labour force) | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.6c |
| Labour force participation rateh (female/male pop. %) | 28.0 / 64.5 | 28.4 / 63.1 | 28.9 / 63.0c |
| CPI: Consumer Price Index (2010=100) | ... | ... | 113i,c |
| Agricultural production index (2014-2016=100) | 86 | 100 | 109b |
| International trade: exports (million current US$) | 1 819 | 1 832 | 2 700h,c |
| International trade: imports (million current US$) | 1 708 | 3 703 | 3 937h,c |
| International trade: balance (million current US$) | 111 | - 1 872 | - 1 237h,c |
| Balance of payments, current account (million US$) | ... | -956 | -831b |
Social indicators
| 2010 | 2015 | 2021 | |
| Population growth ratej (average annual %) | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.8c |
| Urban population (% of total population) | 46.6 | 51.1 | 54.5b |
| Urban population growth ratej (average annual %) | 4.9 | 4.8 | ... |
| Fertility rate, totalj (live births per woman) | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.6c |
| Life expectancy at birthj (females/males, years) | 63.7 / 60.1 | 65.0 / 61.4 | 66.2 / 63.0c |
| Population age distribution (0-14/60+ years old, %) | 41.2 / 4.8 | 40.5 / 4.9 | 39.5 / 5.2a |
| International migrant stockk,l (000/% of total pop.) | 84.9 / 2.4 | 166.6 / 4.1 | 182.3 / 3.9c |
| Refugees and others of concern to UNHCR (000) | 27m | 77.3 | 91.8c |
| Infant mortality ratej (per 1 000 live births) | 65.6 | 58.9 | 53.4c |
| Health: Current expenditure (% of GDP) | 3.4 | 4.7 | 4.6n |
| Health: Physicians (per 1 000 pop.) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2n |
| Education: Government expenditure (% of GDP) | 2o | 2.3p | 1.9b |
| Education: Primary gross enrol. ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) | 102.0 / 97.5 | 107.0 / 102.0 | 103.5 / 97.4b |
| Education: Secondary gross enrol. ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) | 19.1 / 22.4h | 30.3 / 32.5 | 40.4 / 38.4b |
| Education: Upper secondary gross enrol. ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) | 12.8 / 16.5h | 20.0 / 23.0 | 29.9 / 28.5b |
| Seats held by women in national parliaments (%) | 22.1 | 25.2 | 20.3q |
Environment and infrastructure indicators
| 2010 | 2015 | 2021 | |
| Individuals using the Interneth (per 100 inhabitants) | 4 | 15.2 | 20.8r |
| Research & Development expenditure (% of GDP) | ... | ... | ~0.0s,t,n |
| Threatened species (number) | 58 | 69 | 111 |
| Forested area (% of land area) | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3n |
| Energy production, primary (Petajoules) | 34 | 30h | 21n |
| Energy supply per capita (Gigajoules) | 13 | 15h | 17n |
| Important sites for terrestrial biodiversity protected (%) | 11.2 | 11.2 | 11.2c |
| Net Official Development Assist. received (% of GNI) | 6.72 | 5.5 | 5.29b |