Official name:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Region:
General Information
| Region | Western Africa | |
| Population (000, 2025) | 5 315a | |
| Pop. density (per km2, 2025) | 5.2a | |
| Capital city | Nouakchott | |
| Capital city pop. (000, 2025) | 1 259.0c | |
| UN membership date | 27 October 1961 | |
| Surface area (km2) | 1 030 700b | |
| Sex ratio (m per 100 f) | 96.4a | |
| National currency | Ouguiya (MRU) | |
| Exchange rate (per US$) | 39.3b |
Economic indicators
| 2015 | 2020 | 2025 | |
| GDP: Gross domestic product (million current US$) | 6 167 | 8 261 | 10 652b |
| GDP growth rate (annual %, const. 2015 prices) | 5.4 | -0.4 | 6.5b |
| GDP per capita (current US$) | 1 555.0 | 1 796.0 | 2 121.0b |
| Economy: Agricultured,e (% of Gross Value Added) | 23 | 20.9 | 20.1b |
| Economy: Industrye,f (% of Gross Value Added) | 25.3 | 36.7 | 32.8b |
| Economy: Services and other activitye,g (% of GVA) | 51.7 | 42.5 | 47b |
| Employment in agricultureh (% of employed) | 33.4 | 34.1 | 32.7b |
| Employment in industryh (% of employed) | 17.5 | 14.4 | 14.7b |
| Employment in servicesh (% employed) | 49.1 | 51.5 | 52.6b |
| Unemploymenth (% of labour force) | 10.1 | 11.1 | 10.3 |
| Labour force participation rateh (female/male pop. %) | 26.7 / 59.0 | 26.0 / 56.7 | 26.1 / 56.7 |
| CPI: Consumer Price Indexi (2010=100) | ... | 113 | 138j |
| Agricultural production index (2014-2016=100) | 100 | 109 | 120b |
| International trade: exports (million current US$) | 1 832 | 2 829 | 4 355h,j |
| International trade: imports (million current US$) | 3 703 | 2 744 | 4 726h,j |
| International trade: balance (million current US$) | - 1 872 | 85 | -371h,j |
| Balance of payments, current account (million US$) | -956 | -576 | -967b |
Social indicators
| 2015 | 2020 | 2025 | |
| Population growth rate (average annual %) | 3 | 2.9 | 2.7a |
| Urban population (% of total population) | 51.1 | 54.5c | ... |
| Urban population growth rate (average annual %) | 4.8k | ... | ... |
| Fertility rate, total (live births per woman) | 5.2 | 4.9 | 4.6a |
| Life expectancy at birth (females/males, years) | 68.6 / 64.6 | 68.9 / 64.8 | 71.0 / 66.9a |
| Population age distributionl (0-14/60+ years old, %) | 44.3 / 5.3 | 43.8 / 5.1 | 42.4 / 5.1a |
| International migrant stockm,n (000/% of total pop.) | 166.6 / 4.2 | 182.3 / 4.0 | 195.9 / 3.8j |
| Refugees and others of concern to UNHCR (000) | 77.3 | 91.8 | 140j |
| Under five mortality rate (per 1000 live births) | 48.8 | 41.8 | 35.3a |
| Health: Current expenditureo (% of GDP) | 3.7 | 3 | 4.5p |
| Health: Physicians (per 1 000 pop.) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3p |
| Education: Primary gross enrol. ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) | 97.4 / 96.0 | 87.6 / 82.1 | 103.7 / 104.3b |
| Education: Lowr. sec. gross enrol. ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) | 35.3 / 39.9 | 40.3 / 38.9 | 51.4 / 43.8b |
| Education: Upr. Sec. gross enrol. ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) | 19.3 / 24.3 | 30.4 / 30.6 | ... / ... |
| Intentional homicide rate (per 100 000 pop.) | ... | 1 | ... |
| Seats held by women in national parliaments (%) | 25.2 | 20.3q | 23.3q |
Environment and infrastructure indicators
| 2015 | 2020 | 2025 | |
| Individuals using the Interneth (per 100 inhabitants) | 17.6 | 27.4 | 37.4b |
| Research & Development expenditure (% of GDP) | ... | ~0.0r,s,t | ... |
| Threatened species (number) | 69 | 94 | 139j |
| Forested area (% of land area) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3p |
| CO2 emission estimates (million tons/tons per capita) | 3.0 / 0.8h | 4.9 / 1.1 | 5.4 / 1.1p |
| Energy production, primary (Petajoules) | 30 | 22 | 22h,p |
| Energy supply per capita (Gigajoules) | 15h | 20 | 20p |
| Important sites for terrestrial biodiversity protected (%) | 11.2 | 11.2 | 11.2j |
| Net Official Development Assist. received (% of GNI) | 5.5 | 7.93 | 4.02b |