Country Profile: Mauritania

Mauritania, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and shares its borders with Senegal, Mali, Morocco, and Algeria. The country has a population of approximately 4.3 million, primarily composed of Black Moors, White Moors, and Sub-Saharan ethnic groups. Mauritania's economy is largely agrarian, facing challenges such as systemic corruption and high unemployment, yet it is witnessing growth in sectors like fishing, mining, and oil production. Governed as a presidential republic, it transitioned to democracy in 2019, marking a significant political development in its post-colonial history.

Geography

Mauritania spans an area of approximately 1,030,700 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico. The country features a predominantly desert climate, characterized by hot and dry conditions. Half of the population resides in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott, while large desert areas remain sparsely populated. Key natural resources include iron ore, gypsum, copper, and gold.

Area: 1,030,700 sq km
Coastline: 754 km
Climate: Desert; consistently hot and dry
Highest Point: Kediet Ijill at 915 m
Natural Resources: Iron ore, copper, gold, fish

People and Society

Mauritania's estimated population is about 4.3 million, with a median age of 22.1 years. The society is predominantly Muslim, and the major ethnic groups include the Black Moors (40%), White Moors (30%), and various Sub-Saharan communities (30%). The country has a literacy rate of approximately 59.5% and faces challenges regarding health, with a maternal mortality ratio of 381 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Total Population: 4,328,040 (2024 est.)
Languages: Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof, French
Urbanization Rate: 57.7% (2023)
Birth Rate: 27.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy: 65.9 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Mauritania is classified as a lower middle-income economy, with a GDP of approximately $33.1 billion (2024 est.). The economy relies heavily on agriculture and mining, with significant contributions from the fishing and oil sectors. Despite economic potential, the country suffers from corruption and high unemployment, which stands at about 10.4% in 2024.

Real GDP (PPP): $33.069 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita: $6,400 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 10.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural Contribution to GDP: 18.6% (2024 est.)
Main Exports: Gold, iron ore, fish

Government

Mauritania is a presidential republic. The president is elected for a five-year term, with Mohamed Ould Cheikh el Ghazouani currently serving since 2019. The legislative body is unicameral, with a National Assembly composed of 176 members. The government faces ongoing challenges, including issues of corruption and human rights.

Government Type: Presidential Republic
Capital: Nouakchott
Current President: Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (since 2019)
Legislative Structure: Unicameral National Assembly (176 seats)
Suffrage: Universal at age 18

Military and Security

The Mauritanian Armed Forces, consisting of the army, navy, and air force, play a crucial role in national defense and internal security. The country also contends with threats from terrorist groups, particularly Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Military expenditures account for approximately 2.4% of the GDP.

Active Military Personnel: ~17,000
Military Expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Terrorism Threat: Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Military Service Age: 18 for voluntary service
Military Equipment: Primarily older French and Soviet-era equipment

Energy

Mauritania's energy sector relies significantly on fossil fuels, with approximately 72.4% of its electricity generated from this source. The country has been making strides in renewable energy, with notable investments in solar and wind power. However, only about 49% of the population has access to electricity.

Electricity Access: 49% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 812,000 kW (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 14.135 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Total Carbon Emissions: 4.86 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: 28.3 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Environment

Mauritania faces significant environmental challenges, including desertification and limited freshwater resources. The government is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Environmental Agreements: Parties include Biodiversity, Climate Change-Paris Agreement
Key Issues: Desertification, drought, limited freshwater resources
Urban Population: 57.7% (2023)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 11.4 billion cubic meters (2020)
Air Quality: 41.98 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter (2019 est.)

Transportation

Mauritania's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of air, road, and maritime systems. The country has 25 airports and a railway network totaling 728 km.

Airports: 25 (2025)
Railways: 728 km (2014)
Merchant Marine Fleet: 11 vessels (2023)
Key Ports: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Heliports: 3 (2025)

Communications

Mauritania's communication infrastructure is developing, with a mobile cellular subscription rate of 113 per 100 inhabitants. Internet penetration is relatively low, with about 37% of the population being internet users.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 5.36 million (2022 est.)
Internet Users: 37% of population (2023 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 48,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 14,000 (2022 est.)
Television Stations: 12 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,328,040 (2024 est.)	Total population
Area	1,030,700 sq km	Total area of the country
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)	$33.069 billion (2024 est.)	Total GDP in PPP
Unemployment Rate	10.4% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking work
Birth Rate	27.2 births/1,000 population	Birth rate per 1,000 population
Life Expectancy	65.9 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Electricity Access	49% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population with access
Agricultural Land	38.5% (2022 est.)	Percentage of land used for agriculture
Military Expenditures	2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)	Military spending as a percentage of GDP
Urban Population	57.7% of total population (2023)	Percentage living in urban areas