Country Profile: Mauritania

Mauritania, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and is characterized by its vast deserts and flat plains. The population estimates around 5.2 million, with a notable concentration in the capital, Nouakchott. The economy remains primarily agrarian, facing challenges including corruption and systemic poverty, while the country is evolving towards a democratic governance model following decades of military rule.

Geography

Mauritania is situated in Western Africa, flanked by Senegal to the southwest and the Western Sahara to the north. The country covers a total area of approximately 1,030,700 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico. With a coastline of 754 km along the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania features a predominantly desert climate, characterized by hot, dry weather and flat terrain, interspersed with some central hills.

1,030,700 km² - Total area (2023)
5,002 km - Total land boundaries
38.5% - Agricultural land (2023 est.)
915 m - Highest point (Kediet Ijill)
-5 m - Lowest point (Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha)

People and Society

The estimated population of Mauritania is 5,202,109, with a diverse ethnic composition made up of Black Moors, White Moors, and Sub-Saharan Mauritanians. The predominant religion is Islam, and the official language is Arabic, while several other languages like Pular and Soninke are also spoken. The population structure reflects a young demographic, with 35.7% aged between 0-14 years.

5,202,109 - Estimated population (2025)
35.7% - Population aged 0-14 years (2025 est.)
59.5% - Literacy rate (2020 est.)
34.01 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2025 est.)
65.9 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)

Economy

Mauritania's economy is considered lower middle-income and is primarily agrarian, with agriculture, industry, and services contributing to its GDP. The real GDP growth rates have been relatively steady, with a projection of 5.2% for 2024. Challenges such as corruption and systemic poverty persist alongside a growing urbanization trend.

$33.069 billion - Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.)
18.6% - Agricultural sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.)
10.4% - Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
31.8% - Population below the poverty line (2019 est.)
4.76 children per woman - Total fertility rate (2025 est.)

Government

Mauritania operates as a presidential republic, with a governance structure that has transitioned from decades of authoritarian rule to a more democratic framework. The current president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, was inaugurated in 2019 following the first peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history. The government faces various challenges, including addressing historic issues related to slavery and societal inequality.

18 years - Minimum voting age
2 - Major recent elections (presidential in 2024 and parliamentary in 2023)
15 regions - Administrative divisions
100% - Official religion (Islam)
28 November 1960 - Independence Day

Military and Security

The Mauritanian Armed Forces consist of the National Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside various police and gendarmerie units. While the military budget amounts to around 2.4% of GDP, the country's military strategy is heavily influenced by the need to maintain internal security and border integrity against terrorism threats, particularly from groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

17,000 - Active military personnel (2025)
450 - Military deployment in the Central African Republic (2025)
2.4% - Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
3,000 - Estimated Gendarmerie personnel (2025)
28 - Years since independence (as of 2024)

Energy

Approximately 49% of Mauritania’s population has access to electricity, with an installed generating capacity largely reliant on fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, are being developed, but challenges like transmission losses complicate the energy sector.

812,000 kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)
72.4% - Fossil fuels share in electricity generation (2023 est.)
14.135 million Btu - Total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)
1.7 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023 est.)

Environment

Mauritania faces numerous environmental challenges such as desertification, limited freshwater resources, and soil erosion. The country is a signatory to various international environmental agreements, striving towards sustainability amidst these pressures.

10% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
11.4 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
4.86 million metric tons - Total CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
454,000 tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)

Transportation

The transport infrastructure in Mauritania primarily comprises roads and railways, with developing air transport facilities. The total number of airports is projected to be 25, and the railway network extends approximately 728 km.

25 - Total airports (2025)
728 km - Total railway length (2014)
2 - Main ports: Nouadhibou and Nouakchott (2024)
11 - Merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

Mauritania's telecommunications sector has expanded recently, with a growing number of mobile and internet users. Approximately 37% of the population is estimated to use the internet, reflecting a budding digital landscape.

4.76 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
37% - Internet user penetration rate (2023 est.)
48,000 - Fixed-line telephones (2022 est.)
14,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,202,109	Estimated (2025)
Area	1,030,700 km²	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$33.069 billion	Estimate for 2024
Energy Consumption	14.135 million Btu/person	Total per capita (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	34.01 births/1,000	Estimate for 2025
Unemployment Rate	10.4%	Estimate for 2024
Life Expectancy	65.9 years	Estimate for 2024
Electricity Access	49%	Access to electricity (2022 est.)
Population Below Poverty	31.8%	Based on 2019 data
Military Expenditure	2.4% of GDP	Estimate for 2024