Country Profile: Mauritania

Mauritania, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, Senegal, and Western Sahara. The country has a population of approximately 5.2 million, with a diverse ethnic makeup largely structured around a strict caste system. Economically, Mauritania is classified as a lower middle-income nation with an economy primarily based on agriculture and mining, while its governance has recently transitioned towards an emerging democracy following several decades of authoritarian rule.

Geography

Mauritania spans approximately 1,030,700 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico. The terrain consists mainly of barren, flat plains of the Sahara Desert, with some central hills, while the coastline stretches 754 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean. The country's climate is characterized as desert, with hot, dry conditions and periodic droughts impacting its ecology and population distribution.

Major rivers: Senegal River (1,641 km) shared with Guinea, Senegal, and Mali.
Natural resources: Includes iron ore, copper, gold, and fish.
Elevation: The highest point is 915 meters at Kediet Ijill.

People and Society

Mauritania is home to an estimated 5,202,109 people (2025 est.), with a population growth rate of 2.88%. The population is predominantly Muslim (100%) and speaks Arabic, among other national languages. There are significant ethnic groups such as Black Moors (40%), White Moors (30%), and Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (30%). The country faces social challenges linked to its historical caste system and the legacy of slavery.

Urbanization rate: 57.7% of the population lives in urban areas.
Median age: 18.6 years (2025).
Literacy rate: 59.5% of the population (2020 est.).

Economy

Mauritania’s economy is marked as lower middle-income with a heavy reliance on agriculture and mining. In 2023, the GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $31.434 billion. Primary agricultural products include rice, milk, and dates, while the industrial sector focuses on fish processing and mining. Unemployment remains a challenge, with a rate of 10.5% expected in 2023.

Real GDP growth rate: 6.5% (2023 est.).
Per capita GDP: Approximately $6,300 (2023 est.).
Poverty rate: Approximately 31.8% of the population (2019 est.).

Government

Mauritania functions as a presidential republic where the president holds significant power. The current president is Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI, in office since August 2019. The government operates within a mixed system of Islamic and French civil law, and the most recent parliamentary elections occurred in May 2023.

Administrative divisions: Comprised of 15 regions.
Suffrage: Universal from age 18.
National holiday: Celebrated on 28 November, marking independence from France in 1960.

Military and Security

The Mauritanian Armed Forces are comprised of the National Army, National Navy, and Air Force, along with the Gendarmerie and National Police. Military expenditures are estimated at 2.5% of GDP for 2023. The military addresses issues related to territorial defense and internal security, particularly focusing on the threats posed by terrorist groups operating in the Sahel.

Active military personnel: Approximately 17,000 troops.
Military age: Legal minimum for voluntary service is 18.
UN deployments: Approximately 450 personnel in the Central African Republic (2025).

Energy

Energy access in Mauritania is limited, with an estimated 49% of the total population having electricity. The country relies largely on fossil fuels for its energy generation, with 72.4% of its installed capacity coming from this source. As of 2023, electricity consumption is recorded at 1.7 billion kWh.

Installed generating capacity: 812,000 kW (2023 est.).
Renewable sources: Solar contributes 8.5% of total installed capacity.
Petroleum consumption: 32,000 bbl/day (2023 est.).

Environment

Mauritania faces significant environmental challenges, including desertification, limited freshwater resources, and periodic droughts exacerbated by overgrazing and deforestation. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues and promoting sustainable practices.

Urbanization rate: 57.7% of the population lives in urban settings, increasing pressures on environmental resources.
Total renewable water resources: Approximately 11.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 25 airports and a total of 728 km of standard gauge railways. Mauritania has two main ports: Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, serving its commercial maritime needs.

Roads: Lack of extensive rail network capabilities limits connectivity.
Merchant marine fleet: Comprises 11 vessels (2023).

Communications

Mauritania has a growing communication system, with approximately 4.76 million mobile cellular subscriptions representing a penetration rate of 92% per 100 inhabitants. The internet usage stands at 37% of the population as of 2023.

Fixed-line subscriptions: Roughly 48,000 as of 2022.
Broadcast media: Includes 12 TV stations and 19 radio broadcasters.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,202,109 (2025 est.)
Area	1,030,700 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$31.434 billion (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate	10.5% (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	34.01 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	65.9 years (2024 est.)
Children underweight	22.4% (2022 est.)
Literacy Rate	59.5% (2020 est.)
Urban Population	57.7%	(2023)
Military Expenditure as % of GDP	2.5% (2023 est.)