Mauritania
Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 4
Currency
💱 Mauritanian ouguiya
Languages
🗣️ Arabic
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Official NameSource: REST Countries
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Mauritanian
Independence
November 28, 1960 (from France)
Top-Level Domain
.mr
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+222
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Nouakchott
ISO Alpha-2
MR
ISO Alpha-3
MRT
UN Code
478
Geographic Coordinates
20,-12
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
1,030,700#30 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
4,927,532#127 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
4.87
Highest Point (m)
Kedia d'Idjil (915 m)
Lowest Point (m)
Sabat Tahandoust (sea level)
Land Use
Mostly desert or scrubland; small areas used for agriculture.
Irrigated Land
Approximately 1,530 sq km (2012)
Coastline Length
754 km
Climate
Hot, dry desert climate with little rainfall.
Natural Resources
Iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphates, diamonds, gold, oil, fish.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Algeria, Mali, Senegal, Western Sahara
Major Rivers
The Senegal River forms part of the southern border.
Major Lakes
There are no major lakes.
Government Type
Presidential republic
Administrative Divisions
15 regions (wilayas) and one capital district (Nouakchott)
Legal System
Based on French civil law and Islamic law.
Chief of State
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani
Head of Government
Prime Minister Mohamed Bilal Messoud
Cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the President.
Elections
Presidential elections are held every five years.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court; courts of appeal; tribunals.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament: National Assembly and Senate.
Major Political Parties
Union for the Republic (UPR) is the dominant party.
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Mauritanian ouguiya
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
11.68#153 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
40.8#143 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2,197.51#171 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
19.95
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
29.75
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
42.37
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
1.55#137 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
1,248,560
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
10.32#37 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Approximately 46.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
The government budget includes revenue from taxes, mining royalties, and external aid.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
4.65#134 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
6.33#136 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Information on foreign reserves is subject to change; consult recent financial reports.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates fluctuate; check with banks or online currency converters for current rates.
GDP by Sector
Agriculture, fisheries, mining, and services contribute significantly to the GDP.
Major Industries
Mining (iron ore), fishing, and petroleum are major industries.
Major Export Partners
China, Spain, and Italy are major export partners.
Major Import Partners
France, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates are major import partners.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2020)Checked September 29, 2026
59.53#151 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
34
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
5.4
Net Migration Rate
Approximately -0.1 migrants per 1,000 population (2023 est.)
Median Age
Approximately 20.3 years (2023 est.)
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
61.49#123 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Approximately 2.89% annual rate of change (2020-2025 est.)
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
68.7#161 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Approximately 0.7% of adults (15-49) are living with HIV/AIDS (2021 est.)
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
4.34
Ethnic Groups
Moors (Arabs and Berbers), Black Africans (various groups) are the major ethnic groups.
Religions
Islam is the state religion.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
Arabic
Education
Education System
Education system is a mix of public and private schools, with French and Arabic as languages of instruction.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2019)Checked September 29, 2026
9.3
Government Education Spending
Relatively low, around 3% of GDP.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
University of Nouakchott.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Blend of Arab, Berber, and African influences; Islamic traditions are central.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Labour Day (2026-05-01)
- Africa Day (2026-05-25)
- Independence Day (2026-11-28)
Popular Music
Influenced by traditional music with modern influences, notably Sahrawi music.
Traditional Food
Couscous, thieboudienne (fish and rice dish), and dates are common.
Sports
Football is the most popular sport.
Major Festivals
Islamic festivals, cultural festivals.
Famous People
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (politician), Abdallahi Ould Mohamedou (poet).
Cultural Heritage Sites
Limited number of formally recognized sites.
UNESCO Sites
Ancient Ksar of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata.
Annual Tourist Visits
Relatively low annual tourist visits.
Tourism Overview
Tourism is developing, with a focus on desert landscapes and cultural experiences.
Top Tourist Attractions
Ancient Ksar of Ouadane, Banc d'Arguin National Park, Terjit Oasis, and Chinguetti.
Famous Cities
Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, and Atar.
National Parks
Banc d'Arguin National Park.
Protected Areas
Protected areas exist, including national parks and reserves.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Visas may be required; check current regulations.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Exercise caution due to potential security concerns, especially in border areas.
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index for Mauritania is moderately developed; specific scores vary.
Medical Cost
Medical costs can vary; consult local providers for details.
Number of Hospitals
The number of hospitals may vary; it's best to consult local health authorities for the most current information.
Universal Healthcare
Limited public healthcare system; challenges with access and quality.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, but access and quality can vary between urban and rural areas.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, but response times can vary depending on the location.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
111
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
111
Emergency Number (Fire)
111
Crime Rate
Moderate crime rate.
Safety Index
Moderate safety index.
Military Expenditure
Moderate military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services are limited and may be slow to respond.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie.
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
Electricity access is low, especially in rural areas.
Water Access
Access to improved water sources is moderate.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access is low, with challenges in both urban and rural areas.
Railways
A railway line used for transporting iron ore.
Roadways
Limited road network, mostly unpaved outside major cities.
Transportation System
Roads are the primary mode of transport. Infrastructure is developing.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Nouadhibou International Airport (NDB), Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC), Atar International Airport (ATR), Tazadit Airport (OUZ)
Ports
Nouakchott is the main port; others are used for fishing and smaller trade.
Public Transit
Limited public transit, mainly in Nouakchott; taxis are common.
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
45.78#164 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Moderate mobile subscriptions.
Tech Startups
Limited tech startup activity.
Innovation Index
Low innovation index.
ICT Development Index
Low ICT development index.
TV Broadcast Stations
Limited number of TV broadcast stations.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Numerous radio broadcast stations.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.97#140 of 202
Air Quality Index
Data on air quality is limited; air pollution may be present in urban areas.
Water Pollution Level
Water pollution is a concern, exacerbated by industrial and agricultural runoff and inadequate sanitation.
Renewable Energy Usage
Renewable energy usage is growing, particularly solar power, but remains relatively low.
Environmental Issues
Desertification, overgrazing, deforestation, and water scarcity are significant environmental concerns.
Natural Hazards
Droughts, sandstorms, and locust infestations are common natural hazards.
Waste Management
Waste management infrastructure is developing; challenges exist with solid waste disposal and recycling.
Environmental Agreements
Party to international agreements on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Has diplomatic missions in various countries, including several in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
African Union, Arab League
Major Treaties
Information not readily available.
Visa-Free Countries
Information not readily available.