Country exposure · MR
Mauritania
Africa · Nouakchott · presidential republic
What Mauritania means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$7M
U.S. imports, 2025
+128.3%
change in one year
$167M
U.S. exports, 2025
5M
Population
$10.8B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that Mauritania makes
America bought $7M in goods from Mauritania in 2025 — up 128.3% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
U.s. goods returned, and reimports
$6M89.7%
Fish and shellfish
fish, shrimp, shellfish
$222K3.4%
Chemicals-fertilizers
$181K2.8%
Minimum value shipments
$134K2.1%
Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton
synthetic and performance apparel
$47K0.7%
Industrial machines, other
$31K0.5%
Other parts and accessories of vehicles
car parts and accessories
$22K0.3%
Engines and engine parts
$18K0.3%
Apparel, household goods - cotton
cotton clothing and linens
$12K0.2%
Generators, accessories
$4K0.1%
2026 so far (through April): $813K in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to Mauritania
$167M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Meat, poultry, etc.
$38MWheat
$27Mgreen coffee for roasters
Passenger cars, new and used
$20Mnew and used cars
Excavating machinery
$10MIndustrial engines
$9MIndustrial machines, other
$7MGenerators, accessories
$4MElectric apparatus
$4MNonfarm tractors and parts
$4MWhere you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward Mauritania
No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.
Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline)
10%
The universal 10% floor — a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — applies to nearly all U.S. imports. This country has no higher assigned rate of its own.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
No U.S. tariff action names Mauritania. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.
2026-04-06
Section 232 metals coverage expanded
In effectThe April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.
91 FR 18201 →2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).
91 FR 9437 →2025-11-13
Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs
In effectExecutive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.
90 FR 54091 →2025-06-04
Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%
In effectThe June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.
90 FR 24199 →2025-04-05
Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect
In effectExecutive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.
Federal Register · 2025-06063 →2025-03-12
Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries
In effectProclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.
90 FR 9817 →
Reference
The country itself
Africa · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
The Amazigh and Bafour people were among the earliest settlers in what is now Mauritania and among the first in recorded history to convert from a nomadic to agricultural lifestyle. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania’s ethnic makeup. The remainder of Mauritania’s ethnic groups derive from Sub-Saharan ethnic groups originating mainly from the Senegal River Valley, including descendants of former enslaved peoples. These three groups are organized according to a strict caste system with deep ethnic divides that impact access to resources and power dynamics. A former French colony, Mauritania achieved independence from France in 1960. Mauritania initially began as a single-party, authoritarian regime and experienced 49 years of dictatorships, flawed elections, failed attempts at democracy, and military coups. Ould Abdel AZIZ led the last coup in 2008, was elected president in 2009, and was reelected in 2014. Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI was elected president in 2019, and his inauguration marked the first peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another, solidifying the country's status as an emerging democracy. International observers recognized the elections as relatively free and fair. GHAZOUANI is seeking re-election in June 2024 for a second, and final, five-year term. The country is working to address vestigial practices of slavery and its hereditary impacts. Mauritania officially abolished slavery in 1981, but the practice was not criminalized until 2007. Between 2005 and 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a series of attacks killing western tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes. Although Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011, AQIM and similar groups remain active in the Sahel region.
Geography
- Location
- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
- Area
- 1,030,700 sq km
- Climate
- desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
- Terrain
- mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
- Natural resources
- iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
- Coastline
- 754 km
- Natural hazards
- hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
People & society
- Population
- 5,202,109 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Mauritanian(s)
- Ethnic groups
- Black Moors (Haratines - Arabic-speaking descendants of African origin who are or were enslaved by White Moors) 40%, White Moors (of Arab-Amazigh descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%
- Languages
- Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 100%
- Median age
- 18.6 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 65.9 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 59.5% (2020 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- lower middle-income West African economy; primarily agrarian; rising urbanization; poor property rights; systemic corruption; endemic social and workforce tensions; wide-scale terrorism; foreign over-fishing; environmentally fragile
- Industries
- fish processing, oil production, mining (iron ore, gold, copper)
- Agricultural products
- rice, milk, goat milk, sorghum, sheep milk, lamb/mutton, beef, camel meat, camel milk, dates (2023)
- Exports - partners
- China 25%, Switzerland 14%, Canada 12%, UAE 9%, Spain 7% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- China 19%, UAE 14%, Morocco 6%, Spain 6%, France 5% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Independence
- 28 November 1960 (from France)
- Constitution
- previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991
- Executive branch
- President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (since 1 August 2019)
- Legislative branch
- Parliament (Barlamane)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
The Amazigh and Bafour people were among the earliest settlers in what is now Mauritania and among the first in recorded history to convert from a nomadic to agricultural lifestyle. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania’s ethnic makeup. The remainder of Mauritania’s ethnic groups derive from Sub-Saharan ethnic groups originating mainly from the Senegal River Valley, including descendants of former enslaved peoples. These three groups are organized according to a strict caste system with deep ethnic divides that impact access to resources and power dynamics. A former French colony, Mauritania achieved independence from France in 1960. Mauritania initially began as a single-party, authoritarian regime and experienced 49 years of dictatorships, flawed elections, failed attempts at democracy, and military coups. Ould Abdel AZIZ led the last coup in 2008, was elected president in 2009, and was reelected in 2014. Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI was elected president in 2019, and his inauguration marked the first peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another, solidifying the country's status as an emerging democracy. International observers recognized the elections as relatively free and fair. GHAZOUANI is seeking re-election in June 2024 for a second, and final, five-year term. The country is working to address vestigial practices of slavery and its hereditary impacts. Mauritania officially abolished slavery in 1981, but the practice was not criminalized until 2007. Between 2005 and 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a series of attacks killing western tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes. Although Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011, AQIM and similar groups remain active in the Sahel region.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Mauritania due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is required, but travelers may obtain the visa upon entering the country.
US Embassy/Consulate
+(222) 4525-2660; EMER: +(222) 3662-8163; US Embassy Nouakchott, Nouadhibou Road, Avenue Al Quds, Nouakchott, Mauritania; consularnkc@state.gov; https://mr.usembassy.gov/
LGBTQIA+ Travelers
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) travelers can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel. Legal protections vary from country to country. Many countries do not legally recognize same-sex marriage . Approximately seventy countries consider consensual same-sex sexual relations a crime , sometimes carrying severe punishment. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbtqi.html
Telephone Code
222
Local Emergency Phone
Fire: 118; Police: 117
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Mauritania is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Currency (Code)
Ouguiyas (MRO)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C
Major Languages
Arabic, Pular, Soninke, Wolof, French
Major Religions
Muslim 100%
Time Difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Banc d'Arguin National Park; Nouakchott; Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, & Oualata; Richat Structure in the Sahara Desert
Major Sports
Soccer, basketball
Cultural Practices
When talking about the past, people will often snap their fingers by their shoulders.
Tipping Guidelines
A tip of 12-15% is expected in restaurants if no service charge has been added to the bill. Hotel service staff and drivers welcome small tips.
Souvenirs
Dyed leather goods, silver jewelry and engraved items, woven rugs/carpets and hand-dyed fabric, knives; neolithic pottery, arrowheads, and other items
Traditional Cuisine
Thieboudienne — fish and rice served in a white and red sauce, usually made from tomatoes
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, May 03, 2023
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, May 03, 2023
Geography
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates
20 00 N, 12 00 W
Map references
Africa
Area - total
1,030,700 sq km
Area - land
1,030,700 sq km
Area - water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico; about six times the size of Florida
Land boundaries - total
5,002 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Algeria 460 km; Mali 2,236 km; Morocco 1,564 km; Senegal 742 km
Coastline
754 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - contiguous zone
24 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Maritime claims - continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Elevation - highest point
Kediet Ijill 915 m
Elevation - lowest point
Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m
Elevation - mean elevation
276 m
Natural resources
iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Land use - agricultural land
38.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 38.1% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
1% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
60.5% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
450 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)
Major aquifers
Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin, Taodeni-Tanzerouft Basin
Population distribution
vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are desert and lack sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Geography - note
Mauritania is considered part of both North Africa's Maghreb region and West Africa's Sahel region; most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
People and Society
Population - total
5,202,109 (2025 est.)
Population - male
2,578,114
Population - female
2,623,995
Nationality - noun
Mauritanian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Mauritanian
Ethnic groups
Black Moors (Haratines - Arabic-speaking descendants of African origin who are or were enslaved by White Moors) 40%, White Moors (of Arab-Amazigh descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%
Languages - Languages
Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French
Languages - major-language sample(s)
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Languages - note
note: the spoken Arabic in Mauritania differs considerably from Modern Standard Arabic; the Mauritanian dialect, which incorporates many Tamazight words, is referred to as Hassaniya
Religions
Muslim (official) 100%
Age structure - 0-14 years
35.7% (male 776,035/female 770,132)
Age structure - 15-64 years
59.9% (male 1,227,347/female 1,363,938)
Age structure - 65 years and over
4.4% (2024 est.) (male 80,308/female 110,280)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
84.7 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
77.8 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
7 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
14.3 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
18.6 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
21.1 years
Median age - female
23.1 years
Population growth rate
2.88% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
34.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are desert and lack sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization - urban population
57.7% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.492 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.01 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.9 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.73 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.8 years (2019/21)
Mother's mean age at first birth - note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
381 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
29.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
54.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
42.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
65.9 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
63.4 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
68.5 years
Total fertility rate
4.76 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.34 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 94.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 55.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 77.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 5.4% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 44.4% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 22.2% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 89.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 33.9% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 10.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 66.1% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
12.7% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
8.3% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
15.5% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
1.7% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
22.4% (2022 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.1% (2020 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
15.5% (2021)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
36.6% (2021)
Child marriage - men married by age 18
1.2% (2021)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
32% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy - total population
59.5% (2020 est.)
Literacy - male
70.1% (2020 est.)
Literacy - female
51.8% (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
8 years (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
8 years (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
8 years (2020 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Country name - conventional short form
Mauritania
Country name - local long form
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
Country name - local short form
Muritaniyah
Country name - etymology
named for the ancient kingdom of Mauretania (3rd century B.C. to 1st century A.D.); its name derives from the Mauri (Moors) of northwest Africa
Government type
presidential republic
Capital - name
Nouakchott
Capital - geographic coordinates
18 04 N, 15 58 W
Capital - time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
the meaning of the name is unclear; it may derive from the Berber nawakshut , meaning "place of the winds;" other variants could translate as "the place where water appears in a new well," "the land where shells abound," "a place with pasture," "a windy place," or "without ears" (the last referring to a local chieftain who could have been the place's namesake)
Administrative divisions
15 regions ( wilayas , singular - wilaya ); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Legal system
mixed system of Islamic and French civil law
Constitution - history
previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; consideration of amendments by Parliament requires approval of at least one third of the membership; a referendum is held only if the amendment is approved by two-thirds majority vote; passage by referendum requires simple majority vote by eligible voters; passage of amendments proposed by the president can bypass a referendum if approved by at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (since 1 August 2019)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Moctar Ould DIAY (since 2 August 2024)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers nominees suggested by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president
Executive branch - most recent election date
29 June 2024
Executive branch - election results
2024: Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (UPR) 56.1%, Biram Dah Ould ABEID (independent) 22.1%, Hamadi Sidi el MOKHTAR independent) 12.8%, other 9.0%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
June 2029
Legislative branch - legislature name
Parliament (Barlamane)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - chamber name
National Assembly (Al Jamiya-Al-Wataniya)
Legislative branch - number of seats
176 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - electoral system
mixed system
Legislative branch - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - most recent election date
5/13/2023 to 5/27/2023
Legislative branch - parties elected and seats per party
El Insaf (107); Tawassoul (11); Other (58)
Legislative branch - percentage of women in chamber
23.3%
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
May 2028
Legislative branch - note
note: the early parliamentary elections in 2023 were the first to be held under President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El GHAZOUANI, elected in 2019 in the first peaceful transition of power; the elections followed the agreement between the government and parties in September 2022 to renew the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and hold the elections in the first semester of 2023 for climatic and logistical reasons
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (subdivided into 7 chambers: 2 civil, 2 labor, 1 commercial, 1 administrative, and 1 criminal, each with a chamber president and 2 councilors); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members); High Court of Justice (consists of 9 members)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic to serve a 5-year renewable term; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, 1 by the prime minister, 1 by the leader of the democratic opposition, 1 by the largest opposition party in the National Assembly, and 1 by the second largest party in the National Assembly; members serve single, 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years; High Court of Justice members appointed by Parliament - 6 by the ruling Coalition of Majority Parties and 3 by opposition parties
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; courts of first instance, or wilya courts, are established in the regions' headquarters and include commercial and labor courts, criminal courts, Moughataa (district) Courts, and informal/customary courts
Political parties
Alliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal or AJD/MR El Insaf or Equity Party El Islah or Reform Party El Karama or Dignity Party El Vadila or Virtue Party Mauritanian Party of Union and Change or HATEM National Democratic Alliance or AND National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD or TAWASSOUL Nida El-Watan Party for Conciliation and Prosperity or HIWAR Party of the Mauritanian Masses or Hakam Republican Front for Unity and Democracy or FRUD Sawab Party Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP Union of Planning and Construction or UPC
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould BOIDE (since 15 September 2021)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 232-5700
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 319-2623
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
ambarimwashington@diplomatie.gov.mr mauritaniaembassyus.org – Mauritania Embassy washington
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Corina R. SANDERS (since September 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Nouadhibou Road, Avenue Al Quds, NOT PRTZ, Nouakchott
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
2430 Nouakchott Place, Washington DC 20521-2430
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[222] 4525-2660
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[222] 4525-1592
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
International organization participation
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AIIB, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Flag
description: green with red stripes along the top and bottom edges; on the green field, a five-pointed yellow star is centered over a yellow, upward-pointing crescent moon meaning: the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; green also represents hope for a bright future; yellow stands for the sands of the Sahara, and red for blood shed in the fight for independence
National symbol(s)
five-pointed star between the horns of a horizontal crescent moon
National color(s)
green, yellow
National anthem(s) - title
"National Anthem of Mauritania"
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
unknown/Rageh DAOUD
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 2017
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Ancient Ksour (Fortified Villages) of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata (c); Banc d'Arguin National Park (n)
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income West African economy; primarily agrarian; rising urbanization; poor property rights; systemic corruption; endemic social and workforce tensions; wide-scale terrorism; foreign over-fishing; environmentally fragile
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$33.069 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$31.434 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$29.514 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
5.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
6.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
6.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$6,400 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$6,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$6,100 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$10.767 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.5% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
9.5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
18.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
30.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
43.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
55.3% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
17.2% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
23.5% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
18.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
38.3% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-53.2% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
rice, milk, goat milk, sorghum, sheep milk, lamb/mutton, beef, camel meat, camel milk, dates (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
fish processing, oil production, mining (iron ore, gold, copper)
Industries - note
note: gypsum deposits have never been exploited
Industrial production growth rate
2.8% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
1.21 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
10.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
10.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
10.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
23.2% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
19.9% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
30.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
31.8% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019
32 (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
3.1% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
24.6% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
0.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$1.617 billion (2019 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$1.407 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt - Public debt 2016
100% of GDP (2016 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$966.506 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$1.424 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2021
-$807.862 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2023
$3.955 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$4.132 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - Exports 2021
$3.18 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
China 25%, Switzerland 14%, Canada 12%, UAE 9%, Spain 7% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
gold, iron ore, fish, processed crustaceans, copper ore (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2023
$5.271 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$5.77 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - Imports 2021
$4.312 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 19%, UAE 14%, Morocco 6%, Spain 6%, France 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, raw sugar, palm oil, wheat, soybean oil (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$2.039 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020
$1.493 billion (2020 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019
$1.029 billion (2019 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$3.072 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
36.489 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
36.935 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
36.063 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
37.189 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2019
36.691 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
49% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
91.6%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
812,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
1.7 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
378 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
320 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
72.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
8.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
12.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
1 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
32,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
20 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
28.317 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
14.135 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
48,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
4.76 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
92 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
12 TV stations, 6 state-owned and 6 private; 19 radio broadcasters, including 15 state-owned and 4 (Radio Nouakchott Libre, Radio Tenwir, Radio Kobeni and Mauritanid) private; of the 15 government stations, 4 broadcast from Nouakchott (Radio Mauritanie, Radio Jeunesse, Radio Koran and Mauritanid) and the other 12 broadcast from each of the 12 regions outside Nouakchott (2022)
Internet country code
.mr
Internet users - percent of population
37% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
14,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
5T
Airports
25 (2025)
Heliports
3 (2025)
Railways - total
728 km (2014)
Railways - standard gauge
728 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Merchant marine - total
11 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
general cargo 2, other 9
Ports - total ports
2 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
1
Ports - small
1
Ports - very small
0
Ports - ports with oil terminals
2
Ports - key ports
Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Mauritanian Armed Forces (aka Armée Nationale Mauritanienne): National Army, National Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie Ministry of Interior and Decentralization: National Police, National Guard (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note 1: the National Police are responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order in urban areas, while the paramilitary Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining civil order around metropolitan areas and providing law enforcement services in rural areas; like the Mauritanian Armed Forces, the Gendarmerie is under the Ministry of Defense, but also supports the ministries of Interior and Justice note 2: the National Guard performs a limited police function in keeping with its peacetime role of providing security at government facilities, to include prisons; regional authorities may call upon the National Guard to restore civil order during riots and other large-scale disturbances; the National Guard includes the nomadic Camel Corps or Nomad Group, also known as the Méhariste
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
2.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 17,000 active Mauritanian Armed Forces; estimated 3,000 Gendarmerie (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is limited and made up largely of older French and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, Mauritania has received some secondhand and new military equipment from several suppliers, including China, France, and the UAE (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; has a compulsory two-year military service law, but the law has reportedly never been applied (2025)
Military deployments
450 (plus about 325 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
Military - note
founded in 1960, the Mauritanian military is responsible for territorial defense and internal security; it also assists in economic development projects, humanitarian missions, and disaster response; border and maritime security, regional stability, and the threat of terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, particularly Mali, are key areas of focus; Mauritania has received security assistance from the EU, France, NATO, and the US (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
162,277 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
desertification caused in part by overgrazing, deforestation, and drought-aggravated soil erosion; limited natural freshwater resources; locust infestation
International environmental agreements - party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Land use - agricultural land
38.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 38.1% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
1% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
60.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
57.7% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
4.86 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
4.86 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
35.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
454,000 tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
95.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
31.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
1.223 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
11.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)