Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
14,000 (2022 est.)
Communications: 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)
Communications: Internet country code
.mr
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
45.78% (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
48,000 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
92 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
4.76 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
rice, milk, goat milk, sorghum, sheep milk, lamb/mutton, beef, camel meat, camel milk, dates (2023)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$1.407 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$1.617 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2013
-$1.262 billion (2013 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2014
-$1.473 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2015
-$955.9 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2016
-$706.8 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2017
-$709.0 million (2017 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2018
-$972.9 million (2018 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2019
-$831.1 million (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2020
-$576.2 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
-$807.862 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$1.424 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
-$966.506 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
-$1.039 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2022
$4.559 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2023
$3.072 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates
36.4892 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2013
30.0682 (2013 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2014
30.2725 (2014 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2015
32.4672 (2015 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2016
35.2371 (2016 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2017
35.7944 (2017 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2018
35.6775 (2018 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2019
36.6908 (2019 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
37.1892 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
36.0633 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
36.9350 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
36.4892 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
gold, iron ore, fish, processed crustaceans, copper ore (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2011
$3.395 billion (2011 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2014
$2.465 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2015
$1.862 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2016
$2.171 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2017
$2.346 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2018
$2.734 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2019
$3.347 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2020
$3.420 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$3.18 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$4.132 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$3.955 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2024
$4.517 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
38.3% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
17.2% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
55.3% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
-53.2% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
23.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
18.9% (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
18.6% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
30.6% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
43.2% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$7,369 (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$10.767 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$38.092 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019
32.0 (2019 est.)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: highest 10%
24.6% (2019 est.)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%
3.1% (2019 est.)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, raw sugar, palm oil, wheat, soybean oil (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2010
$2.684 billion (2010 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2015
$2.908 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2016
$2.510 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2017
$3.013 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2018
$3.928 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2019
$4.033 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2020
$3.748 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$4.312 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$5.77 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$5.271 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2024
$5.693 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
2.8% (2024 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015
3.25% (2015 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016
1.47% (2016 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
2.25% (2017 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018
3.07% (2018 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
2.30% (2019 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
2.39% (2020 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
3.57% (2021 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
9.53% (2022 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.95% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.49% (2024 est.)
Economy: Labor force
1.21 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Population below poverty line
31.80% (2019 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2016
100% of GDP (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014
$14.875 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015
$15.775 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016
$19.137 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$22.540 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019
$25.064 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020
$26.408 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$27.635 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$29.514 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$31.434 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$33.069 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2015
5.38% (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2016
1.26% (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2017
6.27% (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2018
4.77% (2018 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2019
3.14% (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2020
-0.36% (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
0.74% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
6.80% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
6.81% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
6.31% (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2014
$3,865 (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2015
$3,978 (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2016
$4,683 (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2017
$5,353 (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2019
$5,610 (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2020
$5,741 (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2021
$5,837 (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$6,485 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$6,966 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2020
$168.7 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
0.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
$94.5 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2015
$822.3 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2016
$848.5 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2017
$873.8 million (2017 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2018
$934.3 million (2018 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019
$1.029 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020
$1.493 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$2.039 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2019
10.42% (2019 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2020
11.05% (2020 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2021
11.13% (2021 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022
10.52% (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2023
10.37% (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2024
10.26% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): female
30.1% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male
19.9% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total
23.2% (2024 est.)
Energy: Coal: imports
1 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
49% (2022 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - urban areas
91.6%
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
72.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: hydroelectricity
12.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
8.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: wind
6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
1.7 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: imports
378 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
812,000 kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
320 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023
14.135 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: proven reserves
28.317 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: crude oil estimated reserves
20 million barrels (2021 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
32,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
4.86 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
4.86 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Environment: Environmental issues
desertification caused in part by overgrazing, deforestation, and drought-aggravated soil erosion; limited natural freshwater resources; locust infestation
Environment: International environmental agreements: 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
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
38.5% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 38.1% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
1% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
60.5% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
35.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Total renewable water resources
11.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: agricultural
1.223 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: industrial
31.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: municipal
95.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
60.61% (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
454,000 tons (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10% (2022 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico; about six times the size of Florida
Geography: Area: land
1,030,700 sq km
Geography: Area: water
0 sq km
Geography: Coastline
754 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Kediet Ijill 915 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m
Geography: Elevation: mean elevation
276 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
20 00 N, 12 00 W
Geography: 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
Geography: Irrigated land
450 sq km (2012)
Geography: Land boundaries: border countries
Algeria 460 km; Mali 2,236 km; Morocco 1,564 km; Senegal 742 km
Geography: Land boundaries: total
5,002 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
38.5% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 38.1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
60.5% (2023 est.)
Geography: Major aquifers
Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin, Taodeni-Tanzerouft Basin
Geography: 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
Geography: Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)
Geography: Map references
Africa
Geography: Maritime claims: contiguous zone
24 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Geography: 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
Geography: Terrain
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Government: 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
Government: Capital: 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)
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
18 04 N, 15 58 W
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
no
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
no
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Government: Constitution: 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
Government: Constitution: history
previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Mauritania
Government: Country name: 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: Country name: local long form
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
Government: Country name: local short form
Muritaniyah
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Corina R. SANDERS (since September 2025)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
consularnkc@state.gov https://mr.usembassy.gov/
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
Nouadhibou Road, Avenue Al Quds, NOT PRTZ, Nouakchott
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX
[222] 4525-1592
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
2430 Nouakchott Place, Washington DC 20521-2430
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
[222] 4525-2660
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould BOIDE (since 15 September 2021)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
ambarimwashington@diplomatie.gov.mr mauritaniaembassyus.org – Mauritania Embassy washington
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 319-2623
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 232-5700
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Council of Ministers nominees suggested by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (since 1 August 2019)
Government: Executive branch: 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%
Government: Executive branch: 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
Government: Executive branch: expected date of next election
June 2029
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister Moctar Ould DIAY (since 2 August 2024)
Government: Executive branch: most recent election date
29 June 2024
Government: 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
Government: International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Government: 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
Government: Judicial branch: highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (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)
Government: Judicial branch: 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
Government: Judicial branch: 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
Government: Legal system
mixed system of Islamic and French civil law
Government: Legislative branch: chamber name
National Assembly (Al Jamiya-Al-Wataniya)
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
mixed system
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
May 2028
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Parliament (Barlamane)
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
5/13/2023 to 5/27/2023
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
176 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
El Insaf (107); Tawassoul (11); Other (58)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
23.3%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
5 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
adopted 2017
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
unknown/Rageh DAOUD
Government: National color(s)
green, yellow
Government: National heritage: selected World Heritage Site locales
Ancient Ksour (Fortified Villages) of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata (c); Banc d'Arguin National Park (n)
Government: National heritage: total World Heritage Sites
2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
Government: National holiday
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Government: National symbol(s)
five-pointed star between the horns of a horizontal crescent moon
Government: 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
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: 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.
Military and Security: 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)
Military and Security: Military and security forces
Mauritanian Armed Forces (aka Armée Nationale Mauritanienne): National Army, National Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie Ministry of Interior and Decentralization: National Police, National Guard (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 17,000 active Mauritanian Armed Forces; estimated 3,000 Gendarmerie (2025)
Military and Security: Military deployments
450 (plus about 325 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
Military and Security: 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 and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2015
2.16% (2015 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2016
2.15% (2016 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2017
2.12% (2017 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2018
2.13% (2018 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2019
2.00% (2019 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2020
2.39% (2020 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2021
2.29% (2021 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2022
2.06% (2022 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2023
2.26% (2023 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2024
2.16% (2024 est.)
Military and Security: 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)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
35.7% (male 776,035/female 770,132)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
59.9% (male 1,227,347/female 1,363,938)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
4.4% (2024 est.) (male 80,308/female 110,280)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
34.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Child marriage: men married by age 18
1.2% (2021)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 15
15.5% (2021)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 18
36.6% (2021)
People and Society: Children under the age of 5 years underweight
22.4% (2022 est.)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
4.34% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.1% (2020 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
5.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
14.3 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
84.7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
77.8 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: 55.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
total: 77.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: 94.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: 44.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 22.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: 5.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
32% national budget (2024 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditures
7.61% (2024 est.)
People and Society: 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%
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
2.34 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.10% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
42.9 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
54.8 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
30.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
People and Society: Languages: Languages
Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French
People and Society: Languages: major-language sample(s)
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
70.7 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
66.7 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: female
51.8% (2020 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: male
70.1% (2020 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: total population
59.53% (2020 est.)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
1.492 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2023)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
381 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
People and Society: Median age: female
23.1 years
People and Society: Median age: male
21.1 years
People and Society: Mother's mean age at first birth
21.8 years (2019/21)
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Mauritanian
People and Society: Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
12.7% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
People and Society: Population
5,169,395 (2024 est.)
People and Society: 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
People and Society: Population growth rate
2.88% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
2,623,995
People and Society: Population: male
2,578,114
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: rural
rural: 33.9% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
total: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: urban
urban: 89.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: rural
rural: 66.1% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: urban
urban: 10.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): female
8 years (2020 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male
8 years (2020 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total
8 years (2020 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.01 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
0.9 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.73 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
1.7% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
15.5% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
8.3% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
4.62 children born/woman (2024 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
60.61% (2024 est.)
Terrorism: Terrorist group(s)
Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees
162,277 (2024 est.)
Transportation: Airports
25 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
5T
Transportation: Heliports
3 (2025)
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
general cargo 2, other 9
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
11 (2023)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
1
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
2
Transportation: Ports: small
1
Transportation: Ports: total ports
2 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
0
Transportation: Railways: standard gauge
728 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Transportation: Railways: total
728 km (2014)
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.