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Mauritania flag Mauritania

Key facts and a structured country profile. 🧾 Change log πŸ“ True Size

Locator πŸ—ΊοΈ Map
Mauritania locator map
Capital

Nouakchott

Population

5,202,109 (2025 est.)

Area

1,030,700 sq km

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

🧭 Background

The Amazigh and Bafour people were among the earliest settlers in what is now Mauritania and among the first in recorded history to convert from a nomadic to agricultural lifestyle. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania’s ethnic makeup. The remainder of Mauritania’s ethnic groups derive from Sub-Saharan ethnic groups originating mainly from the Senegal River Valley, including descendants of former enslaved peoples. These three groups are organized according to a strict caste system with deep ethnic divides that impact access to resources and power dynamics. A former French colony, Mauritania achieved independence from France in 1960. Mauritania initially began as a single-party, authoritarian regime and experienced 49 years of dictatorships, flawed elections, failed attempts at democracy, and military coups. Ould Abdel AZIZ led the last coup in 2008, was elected president in 2009, and was reelected in 2014. Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI was elected president in 2019, and his inauguration marked the first peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another, solidifying the country's status as an emerging democracy. International observers recognized the elections as relatively free and fair. GHAZOUANI is seeking re-election in June 2024 for a second, and final, five-year term. The country is working to address vestigial practices of slavery and its hereditary impacts. Mauritania officially abolished slavery in 1981, but the practice was not criminalized until 2007. Between 2005 and 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a series of attacks killing western tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes. Although Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011, AQIM and similar groups remain active in the Sahel region.

πŸ—ΊοΈ Geography

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Geographic coordinates

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area β€” total

1,030,700 sq km

Area β€” land

1,030,700 sq km

Area β€” water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

Slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico; about six times the size of Florida

Land boundaries β€” total

5,002 km

Land boundaries β€” border countries

Algeria 460 km; Mali 2,236 km; Morocco 1,564 km; Senegal 742 km

Coastline

754 km

Maritime claims β€” territorial sea

12 nm

Maritime claims β€” contiguous zone

24 nm

Maritime claims β€” exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Maritime claims β€” continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Terrain

Mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills

Elevation β€” highest point

Kediet Ijill 915 m

Elevation β€” lowest point

Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m

Elevation β€” mean elevation

276 m

Natural resources

Iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish

Land use β€” agricultural land

38.5% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 38.1% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” forest

1% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” other

60.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

450 sq km (2012)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km) β€” Atlantic Ocean drainage

Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)

Major aquifers

Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin, Taodeni-Tanzerouft Basin

Population distribution

Vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are desert and lack sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

Hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts

Geography - note

Mauritania is considered part of both North Africa's Maghreb region and West Africa's Sahel region; most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country

Population β€” total

5,202,109 (2025 est.)

Population β€” male

2,578,114

Population β€” female

2,623,995

Nationality β€” noun

Mauritanian(s)

Nationality β€” adjective

Mauritanian

Ethnic groups

Black Moors (Haratines - Arabic-speaking descendants of African origin who are or were enslaved by White Moors) 40%, White Moors (of Arab-Amazigh descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%

Languages β€” Languages

Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French

Languages β€” major-language sample(s)

ΩƒΨͺΨ§Ψ¨ Ψ­Ω‚Ψ§Ψ¦Ω‚ Ψ§Ω„ΨΉΨ§Ω„Ω…ΨŒ Ψ§Ω„Ω…Ψ΅Ψ―Ψ± Ψ§Ω„Ψ°ΩŠ Ω„Ψ§ ΩŠΩ…ΩƒΩ† Ψ§Ω„Ψ§Ψ³ΨͺΨΊΩ†Ψ§Ψ‘ ΨΉΩ†Ω‡ Ω„Ω„Ω…ΨΉΩ„ΩˆΩ…Ψ§Ψͺ Ψ§Ω„Ψ£Ψ³Ψ§Ψ³ΩŠΨ© (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

Muslim (official) 100%

Age structure β€” 0-14 years

35.7% (male 776,035/female 770,132)

Age structure β€” 15-64 years

59.9% (male 1,227,347/female 1,363,938)

Age structure β€” 65 years and over

4.4% (2024 est.) (male 80,308/female 110,280)

Dependency ratios β€” total dependency ratio

84.7 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios β€” youth dependency ratio

77.8 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios β€” elderly dependency ratio

7 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios β€” potential support ratio

14.3 (2025 est.)

Median age β€” total

18.6 years (2025 est.)

Median age β€” male

21.1 years

Median age β€” female

23.1 years

Population growth rate

2.88% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

34.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

5.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

Vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are desert and lack sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization β€” urban population

57.7% of total population (2023)

Urbanization β€” rate of urbanization

3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.492 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio β€” at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

Sex ratio β€” 0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Sex ratio β€” 15-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

Sex ratio β€” 65 years and over

0.73 male(s)/female

Sex ratio β€” total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.8 years (2019/21)

Maternal mortality ratio

381 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate β€” total

29.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate β€” male

54.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate β€” female

42.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth β€” total population

65.9 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth β€” male

63.4 years

Life expectancy at birth β€” female

68.5 years

Total fertility rate

4.76 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

2.34 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source β€” improved: urban

Urban: 94.6% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source β€” improved: rural

Rural: 55.6% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source β€” improved: total

Total: 77.8% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source β€” unimproved: urban

Urban: 5.4% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source β€” unimproved: rural

Rural: 44.4% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source β€” unimproved: total

Total: 22.2% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure β€” Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

4.1% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure β€” Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Sanitation facility access β€” improved: urban

Urban: 89.4% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access β€” improved: rural

Rural: 33.9% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access β€” improved: total

Total: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access β€” unimproved: urban

Urban: 10.6% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access β€” unimproved: rural

Rural: 66.1% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access β€” unimproved: total

Total: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

12.7% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita β€” total

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita β€” beer

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita β€” wine

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita β€” spirits

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita β€” other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use β€” total

8.3% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use β€” male

15.5% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use β€” female

1.7% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

22.4% (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

66.1% (2020 est.)

Child marriage β€” women married by age 15

15.5% (2021)

Child marriage β€” women married by age 18

36.6% (2021)

Child marriage β€” men married by age 18

1.2% (2021)

Education expenditure β€” Education expenditure (% GDP)

4.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure β€” Education expenditure (% national budget)

32% national budget (2024 est.)

Literacy β€” total population

59.5% (2020 est.)

Literacy β€” male

70.1% (2020 est.)

Literacy β€” female

51.8% (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) β€” total

8 years (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) β€” male

8 years (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) β€” female

8 years (2020 est.)

Environmental issues

Desertification caused in part by overgrazing, deforestation, and drought-aggravated soil erosion; limited natural freshwater resources; locust infestation

International environmental agreements β€” party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

International environmental agreements β€” signed, but not ratified

None of the selected agreements

Climate

Desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Land use β€” agricultural land

38.5% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 38.1% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” forest

1% (2023 est.)

Land use β€” other

60.5% (2023 est.)

Urbanization β€” urban population

57.7% of total population (2023)

Urbanization β€” rate of urbanization

3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions β€” total emissions

4.86 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions β€” from petroleum and other liquids

4.86 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

35.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling β€” municipal solid waste generated annually

454,000 tons (2024 est.)

Waste and recycling β€” percent of municipal solid waste recycled

10% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal β€” municipal

95.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal β€” industrial

31.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal β€” agricultural

1.223 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

11.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Country name β€” conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Country name β€” conventional short form

Mauritania

Country name β€” local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

Country name β€” local short form

Muritaniyah

Country name β€” etymology

Named for the ancient kingdom of Mauretania (3rd century B.C. to 1st century A.D.); its name derives from the Mauri (Moors) of northwest Africa

Government type

Presidential republic

Capital β€” name

Nouakchott

Capital β€” geographic coordinates

18 04 N, 15 58 W

Capital β€” time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital β€” etymology

The meaning of the name is unclear; it may derive from the Berber nawakshut, meaning "place of the winds;" other variants could translate as "the place where water appears in a new well," "the land where shells abound," "a place with pasture," "a windy place," or "without ears" (the last referring to a local chieftain who could have been the place's namesake)

Administrative divisions

15 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

Legal system

Mixed system of Islamic and French civil law

Constitution β€” history

Previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991

Constitution β€” amendment process

Proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; consideration of amendments by Parliament requires approval of at least one third of the membership; a referendum is held only if the amendment is approved by two-thirds majority vote; passage by referendum requires simple majority vote by eligible voters; passage of amendments proposed by the president can bypass a referendum if approved by at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament

International law organization participation

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship β€” citizenship by birth

No

Citizenship β€” citizenship by descent only

At least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania

Citizenship β€” dual citizenship recognized

No

Citizenship β€” residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch β€” chief of state

President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (since 1 August 2019)

Executive branch β€” head of government

Prime Minister Moctar Ould DIAY (since 2 August 2024)

Executive branch β€” cabinet

Council of Ministers nominees suggested by the prime minister, appointed by the president

Executive branch β€” election/appointment process

President directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president

Executive branch β€” most recent election date

29 June 2024

Executive branch β€” election results

2024: Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (UPR) 56.1%, Biram Dah Ould ABEID (independent) 22.1%, Hamadi Sidi el MOKHTAR independent) 12.8%, other 9.0%

Executive branch β€” expected date of next election

June 2029

Legislative branch β€” legislature name

Parliament (Barlamane)

Legislative branch β€” legislative structure

Unicameral

Legislative branch β€” chamber name

National Assembly (Al Jamiya-Al-Wataniya)

Legislative branch β€” number of seats

176 (all directly elected)

Legislative branch β€” electoral system

Mixed system

Legislative branch β€” scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch β€” term in office

5 years

Legislative branch β€” most recent election date

5/13/2023 to 5/27/2023

Legislative branch β€” parties elected and seats per party

El Insaf (107); Tawassoul (11); Other (58)

Legislative branch β€” percentage of women in chamber

23.3%

Legislative branch β€” expected date of next election

May 2028

Judicial branch β€” highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour SuprΓͺme (subdivided into 7 chambers: 2 civil, 2 labor, 1 commercial, 1 administrative, and 1 criminal, each with a chamber president and 2 councilors); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members); High Court of Justice (consists of 9 members)

Judicial branch β€” judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic to serve a 5-year renewable term; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, 1 by the prime minister, 1 by the leader of the democratic opposition, 1 by the largest opposition party in the National Assembly, and 1 by the second largest party in the National Assembly; members serve single, 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years; High Court of Justice members appointed by Parliament - 6 by the ruling Coalition of Majority Parties and 3 by opposition parties

Judicial branch β€” subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; courts of first instance, or wilya courts, are established in the regions' headquarters and include commercial and labor courts, criminal courts, Moughataa (district) Courts, and informal/customary courts

Political parties

Alliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal or AJD/MR El Insaf or Equity Party El Islah or Reform Party El Karama or Dignity Party El Vadila or Virtue Party Mauritanian Party of Union and Change or HATEM National Democratic Alliance or AND National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD or TAWASSOUL Nida El-Watan Party for Conciliation and Prosperity or HIWAR Party of the Mauritanian Masses or Hakam Republican Front for Unity and Democracy or FRUD Sawab Party Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP Union of Planning and Construction or UPC

Diplomatic representation in the US β€” chief of mission

Ambassador CissΓ© Mint Cheikh Ould BOIDE (since 15 September 2021)

Diplomatic representation in the US β€” chancery

2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation in the US β€” telephone

[1] (202) 232-5700

Diplomatic representation in the US β€” FAX

[1] (202) 319-2623

Diplomatic representation in the US β€” email address and website

Ambarimwashington@diplomatie.gov.mr mauritaniaembassyus.org – Mauritania Embassy washington

Diplomatic representation from the US β€” chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); ChargΓ© d’Affaires Corina R. SANDERS (since September 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US β€” embassy

Nouadhibou Road, Avenue Al Quds, NOT PRTZ, Nouakchott

Diplomatic representation from the US β€” mailing address

2430 Nouakchott Place, Washington DC 20521-2430

Diplomatic representation from the US β€” telephone

[222] 4525-2660

Diplomatic representation from the US β€” FAX

[222] 4525-1592

Diplomatic representation from the US β€” email address and website

Consularnkc@state.gov https://mr.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AIIB, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

28 November 1960 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Flag

Description: green with red stripes along the top and bottom edges; on the green field, a five-pointed yellow star is centered over a yellow, upward-pointing crescent moon meaning: the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; green also represents hope for a bright future; yellow stands for the sands of the Sahara, and red for blood shed in the fight for independence

National symbol(s)

Five-pointed star between the horns of a horizontal crescent moon

National color(s)

Green, yellow

National anthem(s) β€” title

"National Anthem of Mauritania"

National anthem(s) β€” lyrics/music

Unknown/Rageh DAOUD

National anthem(s) β€” history

Adopted 2017

National heritage β€” total World Heritage Sites

2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)

National heritage β€” selected World Heritage Site locales

Ancient Ksour (Fortified Villages) of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata (c); Banc d'Arguin National Park (n)

Economic overview

Lower middle-income West African economy; primarily agrarian; rising urbanization; poor property rights; systemic corruption; endemic social and workforce tensions; wide-scale terrorism; foreign over-fishing; environmentally fragile

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) β€” Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$33.069 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) β€” Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$31.434 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) β€” Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$29.514 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate β€” Real GDP growth rate 2024

5.2% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate β€” Real GDP growth rate 2023

6.5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate β€” Real GDP growth rate 2022

6.8% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita β€” Real GDP per capita 2024

$6,400 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita β€” Real GDP per capita 2023

$6,300 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita β€” Real GDP per capita 2022

$6,100 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.767 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) β€” Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

2.5% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) β€” Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

5% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) β€” Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

9.5% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin β€” agriculture

18.6% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin β€” industry

30.6% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin β€” services

43.2% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use β€” household consumption

55.3% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use β€” government consumption

17.2% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use β€” investment in fixed capital

23.5% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use β€” investment in inventories

18.9% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use β€” exports of goods and services

38.3% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use β€” imports of goods and services

-53.2% (2023 est.)

Agricultural products

Rice, milk, goat milk, sorghum, sheep milk, lamb/mutton, beef, camel meat, camel milk, dates (2023)

Industries

Fish processing, oil production, mining (iron ore, gold, copper)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2024 est.)

Labor force

1.21 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate β€” Unemployment rate 2024

10.4% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate β€” Unemployment rate 2023

10.5% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate β€” Unemployment rate 2022

10.6% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) β€” total

23.2% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) β€” male

19.9% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) β€” female

30.1% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

31.8% (2019 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income β€” Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019

32 (2019 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share β€” lowest 10%

3.1% (2019 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share β€” highest 10%

24.6% (2019 est.)

Remittances β€” Remittances 2023

1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances β€” Remittances 2022

1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances β€” Remittances 2021

0.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget β€” revenues

$1.617 billion (2019 est.)

Budget β€” expenditures

$1.407 billion (2019 est.)

Public debt β€” Public debt 2016

100% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance β€” Current account balance 2023

-$966.506 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance β€” Current account balance 2022

-$1.424 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance β€” Current account balance 2021

-$807.862 million (2021 est.)

Exports β€” Exports 2023

$3.955 billion (2023 est.)

Exports β€” Exports 2022

$4.132 billion (2022 est.)

Exports β€” Exports 2021

$3.18 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners

China 25%, Switzerland 14%, Canada 12%, UAE 9%, Spain 7% (2023)

Exports - commodities

Gold, iron ore, fish, processed crustaceans, copper ore (2023)

Imports β€” Imports 2023

$5.271 billion (2023 est.)

Imports β€” Imports 2022

$5.77 billion (2022 est.)

Imports β€” Imports 2021

$4.312 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners

China 19%, UAE 14%, Morocco 6%, Spain 6%, France 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities

Refined petroleum, raw sugar, palm oil, wheat, soybean oil (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold β€” Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$2.039 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold β€” Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020

$1.493 billion (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold β€” Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019

$1.029 billion (2019 est.)

Debt - external β€” Debt - external 2023

$3.072 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates β€” Currency

Ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar -

Exchange rates β€” Exchange rates 2023

36.489 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates β€” Exchange rates 2022

36.935 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates β€” Exchange rates 2021

36.063 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates β€” Exchange rates 2020

37.189 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates β€” Exchange rates 2019

36.691 (2019 est.)

Electricity access β€” electrification - total population

49% (2022 est.)

Electricity access β€” electrification - urban areas

91.6%

Electricity β€” installed generating capacity

812,000 kW (2023 est.)

Electricity β€” consumption

1.7 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity β€” imports

378 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity β€” transmission/distribution losses

320 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources β€” fossil fuels

72.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources β€” solar

8.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources β€” wind

6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources β€” hydroelectricity

12.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal β€” imports

1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum β€” refined petroleum consumption

32,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Petroleum β€” crude oil estimated reserves

20 million barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas β€” proven reserves

28.317 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita β€” Total energy consumption per capita 2023

14.135 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines β€” total subscriptions

48,000 (2022 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines β€” subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular β€” total subscriptions

4.76 million (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular β€” subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

92 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

12 TV stations, 6 state-owned and 6 private; 19 radio broadcasters, including 15 state-owned and 4 (Radio Nouakchott Libre, Radio Tenwir, Radio Kobeni and Mauritanid) private; of the 15 government stations, 4 broadcast from Nouakchott (Radio Mauritanie, Radio Jeunesse, Radio Koran and Mauritanid) and the other 12 broadcast from each of the 12 regions outside Nouakchott (2022)

Internet country code

.mr

Internet users β€” percent of population

37% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions β€” total

14,000 (2022 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions β€” subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

(2022 est.) less than 1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5T

Airports

25 (2025)

Heliports

3 (2025)

Railways β€” total

728 km (2014)

Railways β€” standard gauge

728 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge

Merchant marine β€” total

11 (2023)

Merchant marine β€” by type

General cargo 2, other 9

Ports β€” total ports

2 (2024)

Ports β€” large

0

Ports β€” medium

1

Ports β€” small

1

Ports β€” very small

0

Ports β€” ports with oil terminals

2

Ports β€” key ports

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Military and security forces

Mauritanian Armed Forces (aka ArmΓ©e Nationale Mauritanienne): National Army, National Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie Ministry of Interior and Decentralization: National Police, National Guard (2025)

Military expenditures β€” Military Expenditures 2024

2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military expenditures β€” Military Expenditures 2023

2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military expenditures β€” Military Expenditures 2022

2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military expenditures β€” Military Expenditures 2021

2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military expenditures β€” Military Expenditures 2020

2.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

Estimated 17,000 active Mauritanian Armed Forces; estimated 3,000 Gendarmerie (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The military's inventory is limited and made up largely of older French and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, Mauritania has received some secondhand and new military equipment from several suppliers, including China, France, and the UAE (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; has a compulsory two-year military service law, but the law has reportedly never been applied (2025)

Military deployments

450 (plus about 325 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)

Military - note

Founded in 1960, the Mauritanian military is responsible for territorial defense and internal security; it also assists in economic development projects, humanitarian missions, and disaster response; border and maritime security, regional stability, and the threat of terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, particularly Mali, are key areas of focus; Mauritania has received security assistance from the EU, France, NATO, and the US (2025)

Terrorist group(s)

Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

Refugees and internally displaced persons β€” refugees

162,277 (2024 est.)

Source: Factbook JSON archive.

Related links

πŸ“ˆ GDP (PPP) πŸ’± GDP (Official Rate) πŸ‘₯ Total Population πŸ—ΊοΈ Total Area πŸŽ‚ Median Age