Country profile · Sub-Saharan Africa · LMC

🇲🇷 Mauritania

Lower middle income. Capital Nouakchott. Lower-third GDP/cap (LMC · MID) - 38 series with wider survey lag risk.

5.2 million
Population
$10.9 billion
GDP
$2,105
GDP / capita
68.7 years
Life expectancy
RSS
Sub-Saharan Africa Lower middle income Capital: Nouakchott

Lower-third GDP/cap · MID

Mauritania ranks 156th of 217 by total GDP and 164th for life expectancy - a lower middle income economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

#156
World GDP rank (of 217)
$2,105
GDP per capita
#164
Life-expectancy rank
#125
Population rank

Mauritania lands in the lower third of GDP/cap (#173 of 214) - LMC · MID - so national averages need rural/urban caution.

Mauritania vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$10,879,212,033 156th of 214 higher than 58 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

Mauritania on the global income map

Mauritania (MRT) sits in the lower GDP/cap third - plotted with largest peers; bubble area = population.

Mauritania on the global income map Mauritania positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income Mauritania - GDP/cap $2,105 (2024) · life expectancy 68.7 years (2024) · lower-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • Mauritania: GDP per capita $2,105 (2024), life expectancy 68.7 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

Mauritania has a population of 5.2 million, making it the 125th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Its economy totals $10.9 billion - ranked 156th globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $2,105, placing it in the Lower middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 68.7 years (ranked 164th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Nouakchott.

👥 Demographics

Population
5.2 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
42.7%
2024
Population Ages 65+
3.2%
2024
Population Density
4.9/km²
2023
Urban Population
60.6%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$1.4 billion
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$10.9 billion
2024
GDP Growth Rate
6.3%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$2,104.543
2024
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
2.5%
2024
Trade (% of GDP)
93.6%
2024
Unemployment Rate
10.3%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
4.3%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
30.2 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
68.7 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
381
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
0.3 per 1,000
2022
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
25.1
2022
Under-5 Mortality Rate
36.9 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
7.6%
2024
Literacy Rate (Adult)
59.5
2020
School Enrollment (Primary)
105.4
2024
School Enrollment (Secondary)
36.0
2020
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
6.0
2020
Youth Literacy Rate
70.9
2020

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
1.0
2024
Forest Area
0.3
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
337.1
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
19.6%
2022

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Electricity
50.3%
2023
Internet Users
45.8%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
92.1
2024

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
26.2
2024
GINI Index
32
2019
Intentional Homicides
1.0
2020
Male Labor Participation
56.9
2024
Net Migration
-2,185
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
10.2%
2019

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 4 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series Mauritania does report.

Overall
F
31/100
Life expectancy F
68.7 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality F
36.9 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity F
50.3%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water N/A
N/A
World Bank
Safety (homicide rate) B+
1.0 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2020 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for Mauritania

38 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation5.2 million2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1442.7%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+3.2%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density4.9/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population60.6%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$1.4 billion2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$10.9 billion2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate6.3%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$2,104.5432024
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)2.5%2024
EconomyTrade (% of GDP)93.6%2024
EconomyUnemployment Rate10.3%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)4.3%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate30.2 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth68.7 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio3812023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)0.3 per 1,0002022
HealthStunting Prevalence (under 5)25.12022
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate36.9 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)7.6%2024
EducationLiteracy Rate (Adult)59.52020
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)105.42024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)36.02020
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)6.02020
EducationYouth Literacy Rate70.92020
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita1.02024
EnvironmentForest Area0.32023
EnvironmentFreshwater Withdrawal337.12022
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption19.6%2022
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity50.3%2023
InfrastructureInternet Users45.8%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions92.12024
SocialFemale Labor Participation26.22024
SocialGINI Index322019
SocialIntentional Homicides1.02020
SocialMale Labor Participation56.92024
SocialNet Migration-2,1852024
SocialPoverty (< $2.15/day)10.2%2019

🫀 Disease Burden

Malaria still registers on Mauritania (17.8 per 100,000 vs fleet midpoint 0.3). Profiles where that cell is zero drop the card entirely. Summary metrics use 2021 data; cause-specific cards show their own observation year.

NCD Death Rate
527
per 100K · 2021
Maternal Mortality
381
per 100K births · 2021
Malaria Deaths
17.80
per 100K · 2021

Communicable & Maternal

Injuries & External Causes

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Mauritania with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about Mauritania

Mauritania is a lower-middle-income economy, a tier where a large share of economic activity often sits outside formally measured, monetized markets, so official statistics can understate real living standards more than the headline dollar figures suggest. With a comparatively small population, a single survey round or a change in methodology can shift Mauritania's reported figures noticeably from one release to the next, independent of any real change on the ground. Where a field on this page reads "N/A," it usually means the relevant agency has not yet published a recent estimate for Mauritania.

Mauritania lands in the lower third of GDP/cap (#173 of 214) - LMC · MID - so national averages need rural/urban caution.

Mauritania's 5.2 million people and $10.9 billion GDP (156th) yield $2,105 per person in the lower GDP/cap third. Life expectancy 68.7 years (164th, MID) and survey lag both matter when reading single-year cells. 38 official points sit in the tables.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: Lao PDR at $2,124 (Δ $19). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with Mauritania's numbers

Mauritania is classified LMC with MID. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare Mauritania directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where Mauritania ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. See our full disclaimer and editorial policy.