Country Profile: Mauritania

Mauritania, located in Western Africa along the North Atlantic Ocean, shares borders with Senegal, Western Sahara, Algeria, and Mali. The country is home to a diverse population of approximately 5.2 million, primarily of Arab, Amazigh, and Sub-Saharan descent. As an emerging democracy since its independence from France in 1960, Mauritania has experienced a tumultuous political history but is currently led by President Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI. Economically, it is classified as a lower-middle-income nation, heavily reliant on agriculture and natural resources such as fish and minerals.

Geography

Mauritania covers a vast area of 1,030,700 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico. Its terrain consists mainly of barren, flat plains of the Sahara desert, with the highest point being Kediet Ijill at 915 meters. Approximately half of the population resides in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott, while the rest is largely dispersed across a country characterized by significant desert regions.

• 5,002 km of land borders with Algeria, Mali, Morocco, and Senegal.
• 754 km of coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean.
• 38.5% of the land is used for agriculture (2023 estimate).

People and Society

Mauritania's population is estimated to be around 5.2 million by 2025, with a gender distribution of 49.6% male and 50.4% female. The country is diverse, with ethnic groups including Black Moors, White Moors, and various Sub-Saharan Mauritanians, each comprising about 30-40% of the population. The predominant religion is Islam, which shapes the cultural and social dynamics of the nation.

• 35.7% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 estimate).
• 59.9% of the population falls within the 15-64 age range (2025 estimate).
• 34.01 births/1,000 population is the estimated birth rate for 2025.

Economy

Mauritania's economy is classified as lower middle-income and primarily agrarian, with significant portions of the GDP coming from agriculture (18.6%), industry (30.6%), and services (43.2%). The nation faces challenges such as systemic corruption and social tensions, but it has seen GDP growth rates around 5.2% for 2024. The economy is heavily impacted by foreign investment and fishing, despite a backdrop of terrorism.

• $33.069 billion is the estimated Real GDP in purchasing power parity for 2024.
• 10.4% unemployment rate is expected for 2024.
• 31.8% of the population lived below the poverty line as of 2019.

Government

Mauritania operates as a presidential republic with a capital in Nouakchott. The government has experienced significant political shifts, with the current leadership under President Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI since 2019. The country has made strides toward democracy, marked by peaceful transitions of power and ongoing efforts to address human rights issues, including practices related to slavery.

• 15 administrative regions (wilayas) divide the country.
• The Constitution was adopted on 12 July 1991.
• Mauritania gained independence from France on 28 November 1960.

Military and Security

The Mauritanian Armed Forces consist of the National Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside law enforcement agencies like the Gendarmerie and National Police. The country allocates about 2.4% of its GDP to military expenditures, with an estimated 17,000 active military personnel. Security challenges primarily stem from groups like Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, necessitating support from international allies.

• 450 military personnel deployed to the Central African Republic (2025).
• Conscription is theoretically enforced at age 18, though not actively applied.

Energy

Mauritania's energy sector is evolving, with approximately 49% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The installed electricity generation capacity stands at 812,000 kW, heavily relying on fossil fuels, while renewable sources like solar and wind are being developed.

• 72.4% of electricity capacity comes from fossil fuels (2023).
• Annual electricity consumption is estimated at 1.7 billion kWh (2023).

Environment

The environmental landscape in Mauritania is challenged by desertification, overgrazing, and limited freshwater resources. The government is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these significant ecological issues.

• 38.5% of land is used for agricultural purposes (2023).
• 11.4 billion cubic meters is the total renewable water resources available (2022).

Transportation

Mauritania has a developing transportation infrastructure with 25 airports and 728 km of railway. The key ports, including Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, facilitate trade and commerce, while the rail network is primarily dedicated to freight.

• 2 major ports with facilities for oil terminals.
• 11 vessels are included in the merchant marine fleet (2023).

Communications

Telecommunication in Mauritania is expanding, with a growing number of mobile cellular subscriptions, estimated at 4.76 million by 2024. There is still significant room for growth in internet access and fixed-line telephony.

• 37% of the population is expected to be internet users by 2023.
• 48,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions as of 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,202,109 (2025 est.)
Area	1,030,700 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$33.069 billion (2024 est.)
Electricity access	49% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate	10.4% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	34.01 births/1,000 pop.	(2025 est.)
Life expectancy	65.9 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	57.7% of total population	(2023)
Military expenditures	2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Refugees	162,277 (2024 est.)