Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Capital: Nouakchott
Population: 5,022,441
Currency: Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU)
Mauritania is a country in West Africa, bordered by Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, Senegal to the southwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its capital and largest city is Nouakchott, located on the coast of the Atlantic. Mauritania has a diverse geography, ranging from deserts in the north (part of the Sahara Desert) to semi-arid areas in the south. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, which blends Arab, Berber, and Sub-Saharan African influences. Mauritania’s economy is based on mining, particularly iron ore, fisheries, and agriculture. Despite its natural resources, the country faces challenges related to poverty, unemployment, and political instability. Mauritania is a presidential republic and a member of the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the Arab League.
Growth Rate
2.95
%
Fertility Rate
4.697
children born/woman
Crude Death Rate
5.52
per 1,000 people
Life Expectancy
68.5
years
Total Population in Mauritania
This graph illustrates the total population of a country over time, while also depicting the sex ratio, which indicates the number of males per 100 females in the population.
Population Density
Population Growth Rate (%)
The population growth rate shows how fast a population is increasing or decreasing annually, influenced by birth rates, death rates, and migration in Mauritania.
Life Expectancy (Years)
Life expectancy indicates the average number of years a person is expected to live.
Median Age (Years)
Median age represents the midpoint of a population’s age distribution, helping to assess whether a population is young, aging, or balanced.
Infant Mortality
Infant mortality rate measures the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
Net migration in 2023 (per 1000 people)
0.597
(-0.018)
Net migration represents the difference between the number of people moving into a country and those leaving.
Fertility Rate
Fertility rate represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime
Births vs Deaths
This graph compares the number of births and deaths each year.
Crude Death Rate
Crude death rate measures the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.
Source
Data is sourced from The World Bank, the United Nations Population Division (World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision), and other collated datasets, including national statistical offices, Eurostat (Demographic Statistics), and the United Nations Statistics Division (Population and Vital Statistics Report, various years).
Note: The information in the KPI is from 2023; any data beyond this year is an estimate from the United Nations.