Country Profile: Mauritania

Mauritania, located in Western Africa and bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, presents a unique blend of cultures and landscapes. With a population of approximately 4.3 million, the country has an economy primarily reliant on agrarian practices, though it is also rich in mineral resources. Mauritania has emerged from a history of authoritarian rule to establish a more democratic governance structure, marked by its peaceful transition of power in 2019. Despite its challenges, including addressing issues related to slavery and terrorism, the country continues to develop its infrastructure and strengthen its democratic institutions.

Geography

Mauritania is situated in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and surrounded by Algeria, Mali, Morocco, and Senegal. The country is predominantly desert, characterized by flat plains of the Sahara. The terrain is mostly barren, with limited arable land due to its harsh climate, which is hot and dry.

Area: 1,030,700 sq km, slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico.
Coastline: 754 km along the Atlantic Ocean.
Elevation: The highest point is 915 m at Kediet Ijill.

People and Society

Mauritania's population is about 4.3 million and is ethnically diverse, comprising Black Moors, White Moors, and Sub-Saharan Mauritanians. The country has a young demographic with a median age of 22.1 years and a significant urban population residing mainly in the capital, Nouakchott.

Languages: Officially Arabic, with French and local languages like Pular and Soninke widely spoken.
Religions: 100% Muslim, reflecting the country's cultural identity.
Literacy Rate: 59.5% overall, with disparities between genders.

Economy

Mauritania's economy is classified as lower middle-income, primarily agrarian but also reliant on mining and fishing. The country faces challenges such as corruption and systemic poverty, yet it has witnessed positive growth in recent years, with a projected Real GDP growth rate of 5.2% in 2024.

Real GDP (PPP): $33.069 billion (2024 est.).
Agricultural Contribution: Accounts for 18.6% of GDP.
Unemployment Rate: Approximately 10.4% in 2024.

Government

Mauritania is a presidential republic, having transitioned to democracy with its first peaceful transfer of power in 2019. The current president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI, is serving his term with elections scheduled for 2024.

Capital: Nouakchott
Administrative Divisions: Comprises 15 regions.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.

Military and Security

The Mauritanian Armed Forces, tasked with national defense and internal security, comprise the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The country has emphasized its military capabilities against terrorist threats, particularly from groups like Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Military Expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.).
Active Personnel: Approximately 17,000 in the armed forces.
Military Service Age: Minimum age for voluntary service is 18 years.

Energy

Energy access in Mauritania is limited, with only 49% of the population having electricity as of 2022. The energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels but is slowly incorporating renewable sources.

Installed Capacity: 812,000 kW (2023 est.).
Electricity Consumption: 1.7 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Renewable Sources: Solar accounts for 8.5% of total installed capacity.

Environment

Mauritania faces significant environmental challenges, including desertification and limited fresh water resources. Efforts are in place to combat these issues through international agreements focused on climate change and biodiversity.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 4.86 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Urbanization Rate: 57.7% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Agricultural Land: 38.5% of total land area is used for agriculture.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes a network of roads, railways, and several airports, supporting both domestic and international travel.

Airports: 25 scheduled for 2025.
Railways: 728 km of standard gauge railway.
Merchant Marine: Comprises 11 vessels (2023).

Communications

Mauritania has a developing communication infrastructure, with moderate mobile cellular access and a growing internet user base.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 5.36 million (2022 est.), resulting in a penetration rate of 113%.
Internet Users: 37% of the population (2023 est.).
Fixed-line Telephones: 48,000 subscriptions (2022 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,328,040	2024 est.
Area	1,030,700 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$33.069 billion	2024 est.
Unemployment Rate	10.4%	2024 est.
Birth Rate	27.2 births/1,000	2024 est.
Life Expectancy	65.9 years	2024 est.
Energy Consumption per capita	14.135 million Btu/person	2023 est.
Military Expenditures	2.4% of GDP	2024 est.
Internet Penetration	37%	2023 est.
Urban Population	57.7%	2023